Steven Naismith and Lee Johnson clash in mass brawl with five red cards shown come full time

Steven Naismith and Lee Johnson clash in a mass brawl with five red cards shown come full time of Hearts and Hibernian’s 1-1 draw on Saturday.

Hibernian boss Lee Johnson took aim against his Hearts counterpart Steven Naismith after a fiery Edinburgh Derby at Tynecastle.

Both teams were in a constant battle as Hearts held on to a single point in order to keep 4th place in the Scottish Premiership, also preventing their rivals from leapfrogging.

Johnson’s side levelled the score with a Kevin Nisbet penalty after Yutaro Oda scored the early opener, but the Hibs manager had a hot-water bottle thrown at him from the Hearts dugout when he went into the Hearts technical zone to retrieve the ball.

The two managers exchanged a frosty handshake at the end of the match with Johnson accused of hitting out at Naismith with his fist.

A skirmish broke out in the centre circle when Hearts substitute goalkeeper Ross Stewart leant his elbow on the Hibs manager as he went past him.

Johnson, Stewart, Hearts goalkeeping coach Paul Gallacher, and Hibs defender Rocky Bushiri all received red cards after the match.

An investigation is also likely to follow after Hibs sub Marijan Cabraja was spotted being struck by a Hearts fan while trying to grab the ball for a throw-in.

🗣️’It started with a bit of my dad’s bigger than your dad’

🗣️’I think there is a few red card being thrown about for both sides’

Lee Johnson and Steven Naismith after a touchline bust-up following a 1-1 draw in the Edinburgh derby ⤵️#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/rwzqjam0lV

— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) May 27, 2023

Ugly scenes at Tynecastle as Hearts and Hibs bench and players clashed at full time in the 1-1 draw 🔽 pic.twitter.com/Lu7V9KO6by

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 27, 2023

Asked about what caused the tension, Johnson said: “I couldn’t even tell you. It was a classic ‘my dad’s bigger than your dad’ melee-type thing.

“It was a frustrating game in terms of the ebb and the flow because there was no flow. The time-wasting was quite embarrassing at times.

“It was a case of two managers who don’t like each other very much and that’s what started it.

“I’ll keep the hot water bottle that was thrown at me for winter!

“There was a bit of needle but it happens, technical areas are a passionate place. It’s not a problem, we move on.

“I’ve been a manager that long, you see it all in the technical area. It means nothing.”

Questioned why there was an issue between he and Naismith, Johnson said: “He’s had seven games as a manager and I just think the way he speaks is disrespectful to the previous manager [Johnson’s former team-mate Robbie Neilson sacked in April].

“We’ll see after 250 games if he’s lucky enough to still be in charge of any club and if he still has that attitude.”

Naismith dismissed Johnson’s claims of disrespect towards Neilson: “He’s fishing I think, that’s what he’s doing.”

The 36-year-old also defended himself over Johnson’s dig about only having been a manager for seven games.

“I’ve got a 15-year career at the top level,” he said. “I’ve managed to pull things from some of the best managers around Britain.

“I’ve been in a role for the last two years under arguably Scotland’s best manager (Steve Clarke) for a long period of time.

“I’m not naive to think I know everything, but what I have done is my homework. I’ve had two solid years of good coaching.”

Asked about the flare-up at full time, Naismith – whose side are guaranteed a crack at the Europa Conference League next term – said: “I’m not sure to be honest, I was shaking hands and getting out of there, I wasn’t getting involved in anything.

“I know these situations can turn into things, especially in a derby with high emotions, but I was just buzzing to get the result and enjoy it with the fans.”

🟢 “It’s two managers that don’t like each other very much…”

Hibs boss Lee Johnson on his bust up with Steven Naismith after their 1-1 draw with Hearts 🔽 pic.twitter.com/l17ZME0rMP

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 27, 2023

♥️ “I wasn’t getting involved, I was on a yellow card!”

Steven Nasimth says he wasn’t interested in the full time fall out at Tynecastle 🔽 pic.twitter.com/duHMRrOlhw

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 27, 2023

SEE MORE: Vandals set fire to Scottish non league club’s pitch causing £300,000 worth of damage

Here’s what fans are saying as Steven Naismith and Lee Johnson clash in a mass brawl with five red cards shown overall come the full time whistle…

@glasgowsportsfa: The two most hated managers in Scotland hate each other 🤣🤣🤣

@deansjambo: So Lee Johnson has obviously said something, and then it’s escalated because apart from that it’s been the usual mangers’ handshake

@graha1874: I don’t know if Lee Johnson will be more embarrassed this morning that his team couldn’t break down a side who played with ten men for almost 80 minutes or that his sly wee punch at Naismith missed. Either way, I hope he’s thoroughly unhappy.

@rosssstark31: Mckirdy threw a punch and missed, nae shock there

@nickjwf: I saw nothing apart from throwing a fist behind naisys back and starting it all. Coward couldnt even own it.

@macd_chris: Lee couldn’t take it. Simple as that

@CorbyJambo: I really hope Hibs give wee lee a lifetime contract. He’s totally hopeless 😅

@john_drybey: Naismith stirring it again? Surely not ?

@AlistairDobbie: Johnson doing his best “standing behind a big guy and mouthing off while allowing himself to be pushed away” is proper Lee Johnson stuff. Wee prick

@GeorgeB97665083: All i saw there was Naismith doing what hes used to doing, running away

@RichieStephen: Who would have known Naismith would act the hard man as a Manager after making a playing career of falling down and whining at refs? 🤷‍♂️

@LaurieMae22: Lee Johnson started this. He had already been booked for swaggering into the Hearts dugout and looking for a fight during the game. After this, Naismith went round the pitch and shook hands with all the Hibs players. He didn’t get involved. Different class. HHGH ♥️🇱🇻🤍🙌🏻⚽️👏🏻❤️

@Heartsshirtcol1: Lee Johnston sneaky hit at Naismith. Rocky jumped in and 3 attempts at starting trouble after full time. @Clare_Cowan sorts them all out. Disgusting scenes by Hibs players and manager whilst Hibsing it.

@mallarkee: Most passion I’ve seen from him, even if it was shitebag

@chimpanziain: Lee Johnson’s da is definitely not bigger than anyone’s da

@GfcJamieFtb: Lee Johnson unhappy after learning he’s to small to get on the Pepsi Max during Hibs pre season trip to Blackpool.

@JimmyJazzEsq: Lee Johnson always has been and always will be a classless bastard.

@Critchie1: Lee Johnson what an embarrassment!

@Statto1980: Clear to see Johnson started that

@ThreeCanDan11: Naismith shat it 🤣🤣🤣

@skacxl: That’s not Johnson throwing a punch after the handshake is it? 👀

@EvanMcCallumm: Lee Johnson is embarrassing man hahahahaha

@CabbageAndHibs: There’s always ugly scenes at Tynecastle to be fair.

@KeithyD: 😂 Good to see Claire Cowan sorting out the Hibs single handed. 🇱🇻

@RFC1872_: Steven Naismith showing his immaturity as a manager and why he should never get that job, you are meant to lead your team and set an example, not jump around like a ned player. Second game in a row as well, Hearts need someone more experienced in what makes a good manager