“WTF is he saying?” — “Zero Respect for Sportsmanship” as Josh Mulligan Tears Into Rangers After Man-of-the-Match Performance
Josh Mulligan has sparked a furious reaction after delivering a brutally honest assessment of Rangers following his outstanding performance against them, with supporters left debating whether the Hibernian star crossed the line with his post-match comments.
Mulligan was one of the standout performers as Hibernian secured a dramatic victory over Rangers, producing a composed and energetic display that earned him the Man of the Match award. But rather than simply celebrate his individual performance and his side’s result, the midfielder offered a remarkably blunt assessment of what he believed was wrong with the Rangers side.
His comments immediately caught the attention of football fans, with some supporters accusing him of showing “zero respect for sportsmanship” while others praised the Hibernian player for being brutally honest after an impressive team performance.
The controversy began when Mulligan was asked about the flow of the game and how Hibernian managed to find so much space against a Rangers side that had been expected to control possession and dictate the tempo.
His response left some Rangers supporters stunned.
Mulligan suggested that Rangers’ midfield simply wasn’t functioning during the match, claiming that Hibernian found it unusually easy to move the ball through the central areas of the pitch.
“I see no midfield,” Mulligan said, describing the situation from his perspective on the pitch.
He went even further, explaining that there were moments when it felt as though Hibernian were not even facing a properly organised midfield unit.
“It was as if we were playing against ourselves,” he added.
Those words quickly became the talking point of the post-match reaction.
For a player who had just been named Man of the Match, Mulligan certainly did not hold back. His performance had already made him one of the most discussed players of the afternoon, but his comments ensured that his name would dominate the conversation long after the final whistle.
Rangers supporters furious
The reaction from Rangers supporters was immediate.
Some fans questioned why Mulligan felt the need to criticise the opposition so openly after the final whistle, arguing that footballers should show more respect towards their opponents regardless of the result.
“WTF is he saying?” became the reaction among sections of supporters who felt that Mulligan’s comments went beyond normal post-match confidence.
Others accused the midfielder of showing “zero respect for sportsmanship”, insisting that Hibernian’s victory should have been allowed to speak for itself.
However, there was another side to the argument.
Mulligan’s supporters pointed out that footballers are frequently asked to give honest assessments of matches immediately after the final whistle. From that perspective, the Hibernian star was simply describing what he experienced during the game.
And judging by his performance, it is difficult to argue that he did not have a major influence on the result.
Mulligan’s performance spoke loudly
Before his controversial comments, Mulligan had already established himself as one of the most influential players on the pitch.
His movement, work rate and ability to exploit spaces created problems for Rangers throughout the contest. He repeatedly found opportunities to move forward and link up with his teammates, while his defensive contribution also helped Hibernian maintain pressure during crucial moments.
The Man of the Match award was therefore no surprise.
Mulligan appeared confident from the opening stages and never looked intimidated by the occasion. Against a Rangers side expected to have enough quality to control large portions of the match, he instead played with the freedom and aggression of a player who believed Hibernian could win.
That confidence eventually translated into a memorable result.
A damaging assessment for Rangers
While Mulligan’s comments may have been uncomfortable for Rangers supporters to hear, they also raise serious questions about Rangers’ performance.
The midfield is traditionally one of the most important areas of the pitch for a team with ambitions of competing at the top of Scottish football. When that area fails to provide control, protection and creativity, opponents can quickly gain confidence.
Mulligan’s assessment suggested that Rangers struggled to impose themselves centrally, allowing Hibernian players to find space and play with greater freedom.
For Rangers, that will be particularly concerning.
A defeat can sometimes be explained by an unlucky goal, an individual error or a moment of brilliance from an opponent. But being described by an opposition player as though there was effectively “no midfield” points towards a broader tactical problem.
And that is exactly why Mulligan’s words have generated such a strong reaction.
Confidence or disrespect?
The debate now centres on whether Mulligan’s comments should be viewed as confidence or unnecessary disrespect.
Footballers have always celebrated big victories, and passionate post-match interviews are nothing new. Players regularly make bold statements after beating a major opponent.
But Mulligan’s comments were unusually direct.
Rather than simply saying Hibernian were better on the day, he appeared to question the very structure of the Rangers team.
That is likely to make the words even more difficult for Rangers supporters to accept.
For Hibernian, however, the incident is unlikely to overshadow what was an impressive victory. Mulligan’s performance gave the team energy, confidence and composure, while his willingness to speak his mind has only added another layer to an already dramatic result.
Rangers now have questions to answer
The defeat leaves Rangers with plenty to reflect on.
The result itself will be the primary concern, but the manner of the performance could prove even more worrying. Rangers will need to find answers in midfield and ensure that opponents cannot repeatedly exploit the same weaknesses.
Mulligan, meanwhile, leaves the match with both the Man of the Match award and one of the most controversial interviews of the weekend.
His performance earned the plaudits.
His comments earned the backlash.
And now, the pressure is on Rangers to provide the response on the pitch.
Whether Mulligan’s words were simply the confidence of a player enjoying a memorable afternoon or a step too far in terms of sporting respect will remain a matter of debate.
But one thing is certain: his assessment has given Rangers supporters plenty to talk about, and his claim that he saw “no midfield” will not be forgotten anytime soon.
