HIBERNIAN MANAGER Mixu Paatelainen has insisted indiscipline will not be allowed to hinder his side's bid for a UEFA Cup place after he spent this week laying down the law to his squad in the aftermath of two reckless red cards against Aberdeen last weekend.
Full-back Thierry Gathuessi and striker Colin Nish were the shamed players at Pittodrie when both were dismissed by Stuart Dougal for dissent. Gathuessi received two yellow cards in quick succession as he foolishly debated the official's decision to
award a free-kick against him. But Nish was even more rash, being ordered off without a caution only minutes after being introduced as a late substitute.
Paatelainen indicated both would be severely censured this week and, while he has steadfastly refused to divulge the exact nature of their punishment, the big Finn has undoubtedly left the duo – and their team-mates – in no doubt as to the consequences of future indiscretions.
The Easter Road manager has himself been embroiled in confrontations with opposition managers and with officials since replacing predecessor John Collins in January, with his no-nonsense coaching style appearing to match that of his distinguished playing days.
However, Paatelainen has warned his players to differentiate between tapping into the passion needed to succeed in sport and allowing that vigour to spill over into conflict with authority.
"All our players know how important discipline is," he said.
"Obviously, we have spoken about it again this week because of what happened against Aberdeen. It was hugely disappointing to have two players sent off in one match because of mouthing to the referee. It should not happen.
"The players know how to behave and what not to do. They knew that before and it makes it disappointing it happened.
"It's always been the same. Some referees are different to other ones, some you can talk to, and ask a question about their decisions, more than others. But players realise that and it's not the referee's fault if a player calls him a name.
"A player knows where the line is, you know what to say but you can never be offensive. You can be as passionate as you want but you should never be offensive or abusive. Referees understand that players are frustrated, are passionate and are whole-hearted and sometimes things go against them and they are frustrated and show their anger. It's natural.
"Referees appreciate that but players should never be offensive or abusive towards them or to their fellow players. It's something players need to remember."
Hibs are likely to have to hold their nerves as well as their tongues today as they attempt to keep their bid for a third-place finish on track by avoiding defeat against a Rangers team sure to be brimming with confidence following their UEFA Cup exploits.
With the visitors from Ibrox arriving having faced the might of Fiorentina in two tense European semi-finals and also Old Firm rivals Celtic on two occasions, some have predicted they may allow their guard to slip in the capital. That is not a view shared by Paatelainen, however.
"They want to win the league title and in order to do that you have to win almost every week," he added. "That makes this game very important in their eyes. How strong are the players? How skilful are the coaches and the manager? They are there to make sure they're not flat and I don't think they'll be flat at all."
Hibs winger Filipe Morais (below), meanwhile, has dismissed the critics Rangers have left in their wake in their march to the showdown with former manager Dick Advocaat and his Zenit St Petersburg side in the City of Manchester Stadium later this month.
Accusations of anti-football have been flung at Walter Smith's outfit because of their counter-attacking style and deployment of only one striker, even in home matches. However, Portugal-born Morais believes the Ibrox need only respond with one answer, that of their place at European football's second-biggest showcase on May 14.
"As I come from Portugal, I know a lot of foreign countries like to see passing football and teams creating chances, so I can see why they're criticising Rangers," he said.
"But, on the other hand, what is good football? Rangers get the results – they've done it all season in the SPL.
"Some people can say it's not good football but I disagree. If they win the league, they've won it by playing that way. Everyone has their own ideas but I wouldn't complain if I was playing for them."
The full article contains 778 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
