Hibernian's Martin Boyle has responded to his latest booking by saying he is no diver and is "the most fouled player" in the Scottish Premiership.

The Australia winger was shown a yellow card for simulation in Sunday's 2-1 defeat by Rangers.

He was recently accused by Ross County manager John Hughes of "conning the referee" to win a penalty.

"The way I move, sometimes it is easy to be brushed off the ball," the 27-year-old said.

Boyle felt it was a harsh call by referee Don Robertson as he insisted he had been outmuscled by Rangers defender Connor Goldson.

"I just got bundled over and I wasn't even claiming for the penalty," he stressed. "I went for the ball and I just wasn't strong enough and was brushed aside by the big boys.

"I said to the referee at half time that I didn't think it was a yellow card because I wasn't wanting a penalty, but he said he thought I was playing for it. I didn't feel there was enough for it to be a penalty, but it wasn't a dive."

Boyle has been fouled 82 times this season - with only Aberdeen midfielder Lewis Ferguson taking more blows - and believes he deserves more protection from officials.

"I am being shown stats that say I am the most fouled player in the league and in some games I get taken out 10-12 times," he said. "I could get multiple people booked, but no-one speaks about that.

"I get some unbelievable tackles on me. I am the sort of guy who just brushes it aside and gets up and gets on with my game."

After Boyle won a penalty against County then was accused of a simulation in an attempt to win another, Hughes remarked that: "The last time I saw a dive like that the boy had Speedos on."

"I felt those comments were a bit bizarre at the time and I haven't commented on them before now," Boyle added.

"But that one up there was a clear penalty and the second one there was all about the way I'm moving and the fact there was slight contact - and, if you feel contact, that's it."