MOTHERWELL boss Jens Berthel Askou has been accused of being “disrespectful” to Hibs defender Grant Hanley over comments he made post match.
The Steelmen secured a 2-0 win over the Hibees midweek with Hanley being sent off at Fir Park.
Tawanda Maswanhise broke the deadlock from the penalty spot after Hanley’s handball in the box.
Elijah Just doubled the Fir Park men‘s lead before Hanley saw red for sending the New Zealander tumbling as he headed into the box.
Askou was asked about his gameplan after the game, he said: “We changed a little bit from what we usually do to take out their access to their front players by cutting off their supply from their midfielders leaving Hanley to bring the ball forward.
“And set up a running duel with JT and Hanley upfront when we get the ball.”
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The comments were discussed on BBC’s Open All Mics on Saturday with ex-Rangers star Rory Loy questioning whether the comments crossed the line.
Former Falkirk and Dundee United manager Ian McCall believes that Askou didn’t personally need to name the Scotland international.
“Listen, he’s not the first manager to do that but he’s the first one I’ve heard to make it public after the game.
“I’ve done it 50 times, everybody has done it.
“Billy Dodds played in a game that I did it in a semi-final in a League Cup against Celtic, leaving Bobo Balde on the ball.
“But it didn’t work out cause Bobo Balde drove forward and picked the pass out and they beat us 3-0!
“You target a potential weakness but I think somebody that’s had the type of career Grant Hanley has had, the type of injuries he’s had to come through I didn’t see a point for it.
“It was disrespectful and absolutely no need for it.
“I don’t see an upside in naming the player, I don’t see how it makes him a tactical genius because everybody has done it.
“It’s a wee bit of a slur on Grant Hanley.”
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