Shaun Maloney urges Hibs boo boys to lay off Drey Wright and James Scott as jeers leave boss mystified

Shaun Maloney has urged Hibs boo boys to direct their anger at him and not his players after Drey Wright and James Scott were jeered just for coming off the bench.

The Easter Road boss admits he’s never experienced a situation like in the 76th minute of last weekend’s 2-0 win over Ross County.

Both substitutes were greeted with loud boos from the home sections from the moment they stepped on the park to help ease the side to a first Premiership win in six games.

Maloney reckons he inherited the issue surrounding the two players and their supporters when he took over in December.

But he has told supporters both players have important parts to play as the club chase a European spot - although Scott along with Elias Melkersen will miss tomorrow’s clash with Celtic through illness.

He said: “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’s been really good for me. James Scott has trained extremely hard and I feel that some of this I’ve inherited.

“I don’t understand the negativity about this. 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.

“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.

“It’s hard for both players to hear that. I wish the pressure had just been on me to take everything away from the players.

“I haven’t heard that before.

"I felt similar with Kevin Nisbet. That’s