Lee Johnson reacts to Hibs fan chants as boss reminds haters he's human in plea for more time

Under-fire Lee Johnson insists the Hibs haters won’t force him out as he pleaded for time after his side hit rock bottom.

The home support turned on the manager with chants of “Johnson, Johnson get to f***” as Livingston deservedly took all three points after a 3-2 win in Leith - leaving Hibs pointless from their first three games. Johnson now faces a European second leg away to Aston Villa after suffering a 5-0 thumping at home on Wednesday before travelling to Aberdeen on league duty next Sunday.

To add to Johnson’s woes he lost David Marshall to a chest injury in the first half. The 42-year-old was sacked at Sunderland before taking over at Easter Road last May. But the pressure has ramped up with the supporters making their feelings clear. And he said: “I understand it. I'm disappointed because I love it here, and I believe in us.

"I think it's magnified by the fact that we're three games into the season. That's key; nobody wants to be zero for three.

"We're working extremely hard here. We will turn it; the season and the league settles down when it becomes week to week.

"I hope that when we do turn it around, and we will, that those fans accept that and come back onside. That's all I ask, humbly, and I accept the criticism and responsibility but I want to do very well for this football club and we're pushing it in all directions.

“I can understand the scrutiny. I have been here before. It’s not nice. There’s a human there as well and sometimes people forget that.

“We work extremely hard and I just want the positivity in the football club. That focus s on me and I’d rather it was on me than the players. It’s small margins and I honestly believe if we see out 10 minutes at 1-1 our momentum takes the game back.

“I