Hibs fans booing players: Shaun Maloney speaks on treatment of duo and explains how they are feeling

Shaun Maloney would never presume to tell fans what they should be thinking but, after two of his players were booed onto the pitch last weekend, he does ask that they consider how players may be feeling and how that could impact on performances and results.

Insisting he had never heard such an overtly derisory response to players being sent on as substitutes, he said it was another example of the negativity he feels he has inherited

“It’s really hard for the players,” said Maloney. “I would never tell a fan what they should be thinking. This is their club but it’s hard for the players to hear that.

“These players have been really good. Drey Wright has been really good for me and James Scott has trained extremely hard. I feel that some of this I’ve inherited.

“I don’t understand the negativity about this, because of how hard they’re training. Both of them came on at a stage where we were winning 1-0. Kevin Nisbet and Ewan Henderson had worked extremely hard out of possession against Ross County and there were things I needed from James and Drey. In those positions, in that game, they covered a lot of distance for the team.

“And, I needed a striker with a certain profile at that point to try and put pressure on Ross County and James gave us that, with speed in the final area and strength.

“So, it’s hard for both players to hear that. I wish the pressure had just been on me so I could take everything away from the players.”

With eight first team players sidelined by injury and illness, Maloney’s selection options are limited and he says the fans will have to get used to seeing the pair as the Leith club tries to break away from the pack and end the season in one of the European places.

“I think the squad in general has a