Noel Hunt told Mixu Paatelainen to mind his own business after the Hibs boss tried to hurry Mark de Vries off the park on Sunday.The Dutchman needed treatment for a rib injury after colliding with Dundee United team-mate Willo Flood midway through the second half of the 1-1 draw at Tannadice.

De Vries was about to be replaced by Jon Daly and Paatelainen called for him to come off despite his obvious pain, sparking a heated row with Hunt.

Hunt, whose 60th-minute penalty quickly cancelled out a composed finish by Dean Shiels, said: "He didn't really need to get involved on the sideline, one of the boys is down injured and he could be hurt.

"I think it was a bit eager from him to tell the boy to get up, it was none of his business.

"It's not even his player so he should just be quiet and wait for the game to take place. He is not on the pitch, his playing days are over.

"The boy could be hurt, he could have a neck injury, he could have a broken rib and all he is worried about is getting him off the pitch. It was a bit silly.

"Our players have got nothing to do with him whatsoever and it annoyed me a wee bit. There is no point in being scared of anyone."

Hunt is the latest opponent to row with Paatelainen since the Finn took charge at Easter Road in January.

Rangers manager Walter Smith and Motherwell boss Mark McGhee have clashed on the touchline with Paatelainen, with both accusing him of trying to get their players booked.

St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson accused the Hibs manager of being "disrespectful" after Paatelainen claimed his team would have beaten the Paisley side 30-0 if they had maintained their lightning start in their recent 2-0 win.

And United boss Craig Levein may not be pleased to read Paatelainen's post-match comments about de Vries going down too easily during the entertaining encounter.

Both sides had chances to win but Hibernian defender Martin Canning remains optimistic of clinching third place despite the draw leaving Motherwell with a one-point lead and two games in hand.

"It was disappointing not to hold on to that lead, it would have been massive point but I think we have got to look at a point away to United as a good point," he said.

"I think Motherwell will be looking at that thinking that's the result they wanted so they will be happy.

"But we have kept ourselves in the same position we were in, albeit we would have loved to have taken three points."

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