The Fringe appears to have made a late comeback in Edinburgh this year as Hibs appeal the red card handed to resident hatchet man Ryan Porteous against Rangers.
The Ibrox side defeated the Edinburgh club 2-1 in Glasgow to win the top of the table Scottish Premiership clash and return to the summit of the Scottish top-flight.
Inflicting Hibs’ first defeat of the Premiership season, the match certainly swung on the red card and since it happened, everyone between Parkhead and Easter Road have been crying into phone-ins up and down the country.
But whilst there’s been a near-unanimous acceptance that the challenge on Joe Aribo was wild, reckless, out-of-control and at worst, malicious, Hibs have confirmed they have launched an appeal.
“After reviewing footage of the incident, we have decided to appeal the decision,” said Hibs chief executive Ben Kensell.
“We believe we have enough evidence to show his challenge was not worthy of a sending off.
“We will await an answer from the SFA and stand united with Ryan, who has our absolute support.”
We reckon this is just the Hibees exercising their right to appeal and we’d be genuinely stunned if the powers that be in Scotland throw the red card out for two reasons.
Firstly, under the rules of the game it was a stonewall red card even if the player didn’t properly connect with the opponent.
Secondly, if the SFA bow to the manic pressure of rivals fans hurting regarding the result then it all but OKs disgraceful tackling in Scottish football.
The challenge infuriated the Rangers faithful who criticised Porteous for flying into a tackle on an Ibrox star once again.
