OUR AMERICAN friends across the River Clyde obviously have far too much money.
How else can you explain their rush to appeal the three-game touchline ban on Derek McInnes for his foolhardy remarks over Celtic’s late penalty-kick against Motherwell at Fir Park in the penultimate Premiership encounter on May 13?
“Disgusting,” opined Wee Derek, who was strutting his stuff at Hearts at the time and had just witnessed his league leaders ease to a 3-0 victory over Falkirk at Tynecastle on the same evening.
“We are up against everybody,” he continued in his mournful lament. “I don’t think it’s a penalty.”
Seven days ago in CQN, I warned the latest incumbent of the Ibrox hot seat to expect to be searching for a seat in the Tannadice stand when the Ibrox side’s season gets underway a week tomorrow.
GURN AND BEAR IT…Derek McInnes will kick off his Ibrox managerial career with a three-game touchline ban.
There was absolutely no way he could expect to dodge the bullet, especially after the SFA had lumbered Motherwell midfielder Elliot Watt, now with Turkish club Samsunspor, with a four-game ban.
His ‘sin’ was branding the spot-kick call “the worst VAR decision in history.”
For their part in the aftermatch shenanigans, the North Lanarkshire club were fined £5,000 after a breach of Disciplinary Rule 72.
So, did Wee Derek, who made a personal appearance at yesterday’s hearing, really expect leniency? Was there any hope of a mere slap on the wrist and be told not to be a naughty boy?
There must have been some optimism in the Govan air which became evident following a quickfire statement from the club in which they vowed to appeal the decision to get it overturned.
Part of it read: “We do not believe Derek’s view on a match-defining decision amounted to an attack on the competence or integrity of match officials.
“His comments were directed at the decision, rather than representing any broader criticism of officials. Considered fairly and in context, Derek’s comments did not allege bias, incompetence or dishonesty.”
YOU NEED HANDS…Motherwell defender Sam Nicholson is caught on camera as he challenges Auston Trusty to a high ball that resulted in Kelechi Iheanacho’s penalty-kick winner at Fir Park.
It babbled on: “Although the comments pre-dated Derek’s appointment, the club believes the issue at stake is important and must be challenged.”
To refresh everyone’s memory, Wee Derek, live on Sky Sports, did call the decision “disgusting.” Just thought I would clear that up.
It costs a Premiership club £500 to appeal an SFA decision. Okay, it’s not a massive amount of cash in today’s football world, but it would still just about cover my bar bill at The Flying Duck after a few snifters with my muckers on a Friday.
The chances of the Ibrox club winning their flimsy case can be filed between zilch and zero.
There must be a charity somewhere who would graciously accept a donation of £500. At least, the money would be put to a good use.
What’s that old proverb about a fool and his money?
JUST CHAMPION…Martin O’Neill and Callum McGregor hold aloft Celtic’s record 56th title.
And, to continue to reinvigorate the emotions of a decisive evening in the race for last season’s title, let’s recall the moment that triggered such a nationwide brouhaha.
The match at Fir Park was deadlocked at 2-2 and was deep into stoppage-time when referee John Beaton, after a swift review of a handball incident concerning Sam Nicholson in an aerial duel with Auston Trusty, returned to the pitch and unhesitatingly pointed to the spot.
Andrew Dallas, in charge of VAR, had spotted the infringement and the onfield match official agreed following an examination on the touchline monitor, scrutiny that didn’t even last 20 seconds.
Kelechi Iheanacho stepped forward with his usual composure and swept the points-clincher low past keeper Callum Ward.
The strike set up a title showdown between Hearts and Celtic in the east end of Glasgow three days later. A victory for Martin O’Neill’s resolute team would seal a fifth successive title.
The Edinburgh side were a point ahead at the kick-off and two points behind by the time match official Don Robertson signalled the end of the game.
The champions won 3-1, courtesy of two late strikes from Daizen Maeda and Callum Osmand and a record 56th crown was heading for its spiritual home in the Celtic Park trophy room.
I do like a happy ending, don’t you?
ALEX GORDON
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