Tam McManus has blasted the Hibs faithful after they booed winger Drey Wright in Saturday's win over Ross County.
Former St Johnstone midfielder Wright was a second-half substitute in the weekend's 2-0 victory at Easter Road and was greeted with abuse with practically his first touch of the ball.
Hibees boss Shaun Maloney was perplexed at the reaction as he turned to the dugout in confusion.
And McManus feels that is indicative of the boos affecting the whole team, not just Wright himself, on a day where the former Leith hitman was delighted to see his former club get back to winning days and here the fans cheering again.
He likened the situation to one he experienced as a player when team-mate Derek Townsley was getting stick from supporters, prompting McManus and the rest of the team to question whether they should pass him the ball.
In his Daily Record column, he said: "As nice as it was to hear the Leith roar back it was tempered with a sound I just cannot fathom.
"Seventy-eight minutes into the game, Hibs 1-0 to the good, Drey Wright is thrown on for a bit of security and fresh legs by Shaun Maloney.
"And his very first touch moments later is met with boos so loud you’d have thought he was wearing a Hearts strip with 'I Love Robbo' on the back.
"I couldn't believe it and it’s bang out of order. What good is booing him going to do anyone? You need to realise it’s not just the player, it’s the entire team that can lose focus and energy from that.
"His first touch was a safe pass sideways and there was a roar of anger. Shaun Maloney actually turned to the Main Stand with that WTF look on his face. No wonder.
"If Scott Allan or Chris Mueller had played that ball then there wouldn’t have been a word.
"It’s horrible and I experienced it with Derek Townsley a couple of decades ago. He was a real target for Hibs fans because he was a winger who was 6ft 5in.
"He had a big languid style that perhaps didn’t help, but, on his day, big Del was good. It’s just that other days he wasn’t!
"Del got it tight and there was one game in particular we were getting a doing and he was taking pelters. It affected every Hibs player because we were thinking: 'Do I give him the ball?'.
"Del was a giant, but in the dressing-room he was absolutely distraught. His wife and kids were there listening to this. It was horrible.
"Before we could really say anything to him he was head down and out the door and I remember coming out in the papers and saying it was out of order, the fans had to get off his back because he’s trying his best.
"I thought I had a bit of credit in the bank with the support, but the boo boys turned on me the next game!
"At least it gave Del a break. It’s the same with Drey. Fans are well entitled to their opinions as they pay good money to go to the game.
"But I’d urge them not to boo their own players and certainly not on their first touch of the ball. It saps energy from the legs. What do you do? Hide?
"Shaun clearly fancies him as a player. That was his sixth appearance since the new manager came in and he had other options to bring on at a crucial stage with the score 1-0, but chose Drey.
"He gives the team calmness and keeps the ball well. He might not ping 30 yard passes onto someone’s toe, but he’s a hard worker and keeps things ticking over.
"But he’s got no chance when he’s getting booed as soon as he touches the ball. It’s a shame because there were so many positives from Saturday’s 2-0 win."
