Hibs boss Alan Stubbs respects Peter Houston after apology

Although Stubbs was adamant his midfielder was denied a “stonewall” penalty as he was challenged by Bairns defender Luke Leahy during Sunday’s 1-1 draw, Houston was critical of the 21-year-old, who was involved in a controversial spot-kick decision earlier in the season which resulted in Falkirk’s only home defeat of the season so far.

“John McGinn is a fantastic young talent,” Houston said, “But what he has to watch is getting a reputation for going down easily in the box. The last time he went down and got a penalty and anyone I have spoken to in football does not recognise it as a penalty or foul. For the talent he has, he has to be careful not to get a reputation for going down too easily.”

However, revealing he’d reviewed footage of the incident, in a statement on Falkirk’s official website, Houston said: “John had a strong case for a penalty and fair credit to him for attempting to play on. At the time of making the comments I had not seen the footage properly.”

Today Stubbs, who admitted he was baffled by Houston’s claim, accepted his counterpart’s apology, made in a phone call the morning after the game. He said: “I was surprised when I heard about the comments but I respect Peter even more for the phone call to me and John to apologise.

“It is important to know John is a really honest boy. Even in the first game it was not his fault, there was some contact and he went down. On Sunday it was a penalty, whichever way you look at it.”