NEIL LENNON insists his scathing attack on Don Robertson was down to frustration at the referee’s display and not sour grapes.
The Hibs manager watched his team dominate away to Hamilton Accies but leave with just a point after Antonio Rojano’s header cancelled out Simon Murray’s 14th goal of the season in the 1-1 draw.
Lennon was angered by Accies’ physical approach in the New Douglas Park clash, accusing the hosts of ‘trying to kick the crap’ out of the Easter Road side.
And, after claiming Robertson was ‘out of his depth’ in failing to clamp down on Accies’ ‘caveman stuff’, Lennon is adamant he simply wants to safeguard the safety of his players against any roughhouse tactics.
He said: “I just think we need better protection from referees. I don’t think the game’s fair at the minute.
“It sounds like sour grapes but I saw my players getting kicked left, right and centre.
“It’s just frustration; I’m very pleased with the players, we were excellent.”
It was a 10th away game without defeat for Hibs at the weekend, with two Betfred Cup games being followed by eight unbeaten league games on the road.
The capital outfit are back on their travels this weekend when they face Partick Thistle at Firhill before hosting Celtic and Rangers in the space of three days.
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Although he acknowledges they need to find a more ruthless streak in front of goal, Lennon insists he is happy with the way his players are performing ahead of a vital spell.
He added to Hibs TV: “It was as good a first-half away from home as I’ve seen from us, so I was really pleased.
“In the second-half, the goalkeeper saved from [Paul] Hanlon and saved from [Martin] Boyle. You need that second goal to give you the cushion when you’re on top.
“Hamilton had one attempt and scored from it, so the luck was with them and not with us.
“But when you’re creating chances, that’s the pleasing thing. We looked a threat all game.
“If we keep playing the way we’re playing, we’ll be alright. We just need to score when we’re in the ascendancy.”
