OWEN Coyle claims he maintained a 'dignified silence' in the days after ditching Burnley for Bolton Wanderers.

How very noble.

It's a shame the Scot couldn't have matched that with tact at the Reebok Stadium.

Having just sent his old club into the bottom three, he hugged the players he deserted in full view of the fans who have not yet come to terms with his departure.

A thumbs up to the away end was never going to temper their angry mood either.

His open-air gestures were ill-thought at best. At worst they were arrogant. But whatever the motive there was no doubt he put his old charges in a deeply awkward position.

After snow meant his final training session was cancelled, it was the first time Coyle had seen them face to face.

Of course he wanted to wish them well.

But he should have saved it for the comparative privacy of the tunnel.