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Tommy Wright: St Johnstone 'wronged' by Hibs' Liam Henderson

Tommy Wright, Liam Henderson, Alan Stubbs
Image: Tommy Wright (left) looks on as man-in-the-spotlight Liam Henderson is substituted

Alan Stubbs feels his Hibernian side again proved their quality as they reached the Scottish League Cup final - but he understood St Johnstone's complaints over the penalty that set them on their way to a 2-1 victory.

Saints boss Tommy Wright felt his team were 'wronged' by Liam Henderson's fall after Chris Millar stuck out his leg, which prompted Steven McLean to award a penalty.

Jason Cummings converted the 29th-minute spot-kick but Saints were level inside four minutes thanks to Joe Shaughnessy's header.

Simon Lappin hit the bar with a free-kick as the Perth side started the second half well but the Championship side got on top again and John McGinn fired a 74th-minute winner with a 25-yard strike that bounced inside the post.

The Tynecastle triumph followed wins over Aberdeen and Dundee United in earlier rounds and Stubbs was delighted to see his team set up a final against Ross County on March 13.

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Alan Stubbs believes Hibernian deserved to beat St Johnstone

"I'm more delighted for the players and fans more than me personally," the Hibs head coach said. "It's great to be able to reward them with a trip to Hampden. I thought it was a really good game, a close game, and we managed just to edge it in the end.

"From one to 11 we were good. All the players did their jobs and stood up to be counted. Even when they got the equaliser, I thought we were positive and looked like we were going to create things.

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"That's us beating three Premiership teams to reach the final, so that underlines the quality we've got in the team."

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St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright believes referee Steven McLean was wrong to award Hibernian a penalty

Wright agreed that Hibs deserved their win but he and his players were enraged with Henderson.

"I've seen it back and it's disappointing," Wright said. "In any big game you need that bit of fortune. We weren't helped by injuries, [Brian] Easton and Millar going off, but there's always big decisions in big games and the big decision certainly went against us.

"The referee is actually looking round the player to see it. In a way I wouldn't blame the referee but certainly their player's actions probably made his mind up for him. What I've seen, there doesn't look to be any contact."

Steven MacLean was booked after being one of several Saints players to accuse the on-loan Celtic player.

Liam Henderson, Hibs v St Johnstone penalty
Image: Referee Steven McLean points to the spot as Liam Henderson (prostrate) appeals

"They reacted because they think they have been wronged, and I think they have been wronged," the Northern Irishman said.

"Look, they created more chances so they deserve to win, but you need big decisions to go your way. It's a tough job for referees and I don't think he has been helped."

Stubbs did not offer much of a defence for Henderson.

"Whether there is contact or not is difficult to tell from the replay," he said.

John McGinn Hibernian goal v St Johnstone
Image: John McGinn wheels away to celebrate his winning goal

"Their player sticks his leg out and Liam goes over it. It's hard to see from the replay whether there is contact but Steven is in a brilliant position to give it and we're glad he has given it.

"Tommy and their players might be disappointed to concede the penalty. I would be if I was in their shoes, I'm not going to lie. But we got it and I thought we just shaded it over the 90 minutes."

Wright added: "I wish Alan and his team good luck in the final but we are extremely disappointed.

"They probably played better than us on the day but, without being at our best, we stayed in the game. When you have to work hard to get the ball, we have to be better at keeping the ball."

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