Alex McLeish has angrily hit back at Russell Latapy after the sacked player claimed his Hibernian manager encouraged the players to drink.
The Trinidad and Tobago midfielder was kicked out of the club last month for missing training and drinking less than two days before a match. But the 32-year-old has denied having a drink problem and accused his former club of having a drink culture.
Latapy told the Trinidadian Sunday Express: "It is not uncommon for any professional footballer in the UK to be high on alcohol while off the field. Me and my coach [McLeish] go out often when we have things to talk about.
"We drink and get high - all the other players drink heavily when they feel the need to."
The Easter Road boss - who denies encouraging such behaviour - said: "I have no problems with any other players at this club. Russell is an experienced professional player and he was aware of the rules but chose to break two of the most important - he missed training before a vital game and was out drinking less than 48 hours before a game.
"When I confronted him, to his credit he held his hands up and admitted he had been entirely in the wrong, so his statement now is puzzling.
"Finally, I would like to stress that I am not a fan of footballers and alcohol mixing, but players are adults and provided they restrict their consumption and keep it to the appropriate times I am okay with it - but that is not the same kind of carte blanche," McLeish said.
PA Sport