Scott Parker on the need to 'tame' Burnley's Hannibal after another needless yellow card

It comes after the midfielder faced some criticism at the weekend for picking up a needless booking for diving during the FA Cup win over Millwall.

While there’s no doubt the 22-year-old is a talented player, he continues to struggle with discipline and controlling his emotions.

Previously he’s been banned for four games for spitting at Leeds United fans, having previously served a suspension for a stamp during the Championship campaign.

While Parker accepts Hannibal is at his best when he’s playing on the edge, he accepts the Tunisian international needs to take more responsibility for his actions.

“I think it's fair to say that Hann's a player that will always be on the line and I don't think you can take that out of him. For sure you can't,” he said.

“I think the best version of him is that passionate, on-the-line player. That's the guy that the people in stands look at and you gravitate to, you can feel every bit of it.

The Burnley Express has launched a new WhatsApp channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone. Simply click this link to join our Burnley Express WhatsApp channel.

“But then there's the other side where maybe just with some maturity, maybe with some responsibility as well, there are certain elements that he does need to understand that you can't get involved in or you can't go over – and I think we've seen that.

“Huge quality, a passionate guy, like I said, a real driver. But for sure, it's an ongoing process there. An ongoing process that we need to tame a certain bit and also have an understanding of probably the animal we're dealing with.”

When asked if these are the sort of challenges he enjoys as a manager, Parker added: “I love that challenge, yeah. I love that challenge, for sure, and there's a real balance, like I said.

“That balance is you don't want to take this certain side. At times, he's going to cross a line and you're going to scratch your head and that's the way it is.

“I suppose that's just being around him, developing him, giving him responsibility. I think that's key, giving him responsibility.

“He's now come into a phase in his career where he's gone past that up-and-coming talent and now he's come into a stage where he can mature a little bit more in certain moments and that comes with time and certainly comes with responsibility and a feeling with him that he's respected – and I want to give him that.”

Your next Burnley FC read: Scott Parker's former teammate makes bold claim about Burnley manager's future