JIM DUFFY, the Morton manager, last night insisted he did not offer Neil Lennon a “square go” as the fall-out from the Easter Road bust-up continued.
Both Duffy and the Hibernian manager will be asked to explain themselves to the SFA disciplinary department, along with some players, following the scenes at the end of Wednesday night’s match.
Lennon, who accused Duffy of wanting to fight him, will claim his innocence because the Morton coaching staff came into his technical area following what was dreadful tackle by Kudus Oyenuga on Hibs’ Jordon Forester
Oyenuga was sent off but not before he fell to the ground, appearing to feign a headbutt by Darren McGregor, the Hibs captain, who also received a red card.
The war of words did not end when both managers were sent off by referee Nick Walsh and in a statement, Duffy said: "Firstly, I would like to say that I watched the footage on television last night and, from my point of view, I was embarrassed when I saw my reaction.
“I am not going to get involved in a public debate with the Hibs manager, but what I would state is that I categorically, 100 per cent did not ask for a ‘square go’ or use anything even remotely like that term.
"Yes, I acted immaturely – but I’m not 12 years old."
The two sides will meet each other once more this season at Cappielow and, after Wednesday’s match, when it was put to Lennon a rematch was on the horizon, he said: “Yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”
Asked if he would speak to his players with regards to any bad blood being carried into the match, Lennon said: “No. Take the sting out of what? We didn’t do anything wrong. My captain has been sent off for nothing. They need to look at themselves.
"I don’t need to reproach any of my players or myself for what went on. But as usual it will all be about me. All I did was shout at a player who really tried to hurt one of my players, as I have every right to do.”
And he added: “They can throw the book at me, at Jim, at his assistant and Oyenuga who deserves it more than anyone because he started it all. It was disgraceful behaviour from a professional footballer.”
Duffy was disappointed that what happened at the end detracted from yet another good Morton performance. Against many odds they will be in the Premiership promotion play-off.
He said: "It’s unfortunate that the focus will be on what happened when a team like Morton go to Easter Road with the form Hibs have been in, and the possibility of them winning the league, with the fire power they have and quality that can come off their bench, to come away with a draw is a fantastic point for us.
“It’s a great clean sheet. Look at their front four; to not concede at Easter Road was outstanding. I would like our team to get due credit. Lenny said himself that had they won they would have more or less wrapped up the title.
“I thought we were magnificent over the 90 minutes.”
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