Birmingham City boss explains Hannibal Mejbri substitution vs Burnley

Birmingham City manager John Eustace says Hannibal Mejbri was lucky not to be sent off in the defeat to Burnley on Tuesday night, which explains his decision to take him off as he wanted to keep 11 players on the pitch.

Sitting in 15th place after losing 3-0 to Vincent Kompany’s side, who suffered eliminated from the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford last week, Birmingham City cannot afford to loss key players through suspension when they need to start picking up points.

Manchester United loanee Mejbri started the game, but his manager suggested that he was fortunate to remain on the pitch after escaping a second yellow card.

The 19-year-old was booked in the first half, but was lucky to get away with a lunge on Burnley’s Connor Roberts after the interval.

“Yes, possibly that’s why I brought him off, it’s important to keep 11 players on the pitch, it’s part of his development, his role, he needs to calm down a little bit,” Eustace told Birmingham Live.

Mejbri has always been a fiery character but he will surely mature down the years.

More Stories Birmingham City Burnley Hannibal Mejbri John Eustace