David Gray defends Hibs winger Elie Youan after pundit's 'unacceptable' verdict

Hibernian head coach David Gray has played down the controversy surrounding Elie Youan after he was singled out for criticism in the aftermath of their 4-1 Scottish Premiership defeat against Dundee.

The Hibees had Jordan Obita sent off in the early stages of the game and as the game was halted, Youan was caught by the TV cameras doing keepie-uppies while Dundee’s Mo Sylla received medical attention, following the red-card challenge. Speaking as pundit on Premier Sports, former Hibs player Marvin Bartley raged at the winger, saying: "It's embarrassing. It sums it up at the moment that he's been allowed to get away with this,” and added that it was “not acceptable”.

Gray, facing the media ahead of his side’s match with Aberdeen tomorrow evening, was quizzed on the incident but came to the defence of the former Nantes player. “I think anyone who knows Eli Youan knows he loves football,” the manager said.

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He continued: "He loves being on the pitch, he's enjoying football, that's when he's happiest, when he's on the pitch. I'd fully understand it if the game was about to go on or I hadn't had the information on or actually if I'd pulled all the players across and he wasn't over and he was doing his own thing, then I would understand exactly the magnitude of making the point on it.

"But I didn't see it at the time. My information went on very quickly as to what we wanted to do at the red card, especially for the next five minutes, to see what Dundee would do, to be honest, because of how well we started in the game. So, the plan was on very quickly. He knew exactly where he was and he went into position very quickly."

Gray is fully aware as to why the issue was raised but doesn't believe there was any ill intent behind the incident. He added: "So I think a lot's been made of it. But I think if you actually know him, I don't think there's any malice in what he was doing. But I understand why the question would be asked and why Marvin, singled out, especially, his feelings on it."