HIBERNIAN HAVE DISMISSED “unverified and irresponsible” reports that an on-loan striker head-butted manager Pat Fenlon during a training ground flare-up yesterday.
An exclusive in this morning’s Daily Mail reported that Leigh Griffiths, on loan at Easter Road from Wolves, assaulted Fenlon and also punched assistant manger Billy Brown in a heated exchange at the club’s training facility in Ormiston.
Hibs remain second from bottom in the Scottish Premier League following a 2-0 defeat against city rivals Hearts in the Edinburgh derby last Sunday.
Tempers appear to have run high as Fenlon cleared the air during yesterday’s session, but a club statement said that there had been no head-butt or punch thrown by Griffiths, who will be in the squad for Saturday’s game at home to Dundee United.
Griffiths, who has represented Scotland at underage and B level, is on loan with Hibs until the end of the season and Fenlon said that he will remain “a key part” of his plans as the squad try to stave off relegation.
“Yesterday was typical training ground stuff,” Fenlon said, “and I’m surprised at the rubbish in the press today.
“As is usual for high tempo training sessions, involving committed players and coaching staff, robust views and opinions are shared, and yesterday’s session was no different.
“Leigh is a quality striker, and a lively personality, and will remain a key part of my team for the rest of the season. There’s nothing at all in the story. We just want to focus on winning games and getting up the table.”
