FURIOUS Derek McInnes raged at referee Steven McLean after Hearts drew 1-1 with Motherwell at Fir Park last night.
The bleating Edinburgh boss insisted the match official made a “terrible” decision not to award his team a penalty-kick in the 67th minute after Alexandros Kyziridis went down theatrically in the box.
The Greek forward took a tumble after he felt contact from Well’s Tawanda Maswanhise as the visitors attempted to work a short corner-kick.
McLean ignored the incident, but Greg Aitken, on VAR, ordered a review on the touchline monitor. The whistler took his time as he re-examined the exaggerated fall from Kyziridis before waving away the appeal to stick with his original decision.
The judgement sparked outrage on the Hearts bench.
NO PENALTY…referee Steven McLean sticks by his onfield decision after reviewing the theatrical dive from Hearts forward Alexandros Kyziridis. A composed Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou (extreme right) looks on during the 1-1 draw at Fir Park.
Afterwards, a simmering McInnes said: “I thought it was a penalty. Greg Aitken has done his job well to bring the referee over because he should bring him over – and it should be a penalty kick.
“The referee had a poor game. We can all have poor nights, but he was poor throughout and the biggest decision of the lot, he’s got wrong.
“It’s so important he gets that right. The explanation to me is, yes, there’s contact, but he doesn’t think there’s enough contact.”
McInnes, speaking to Sky Sports, continued: “When my player’s pushed off like that, everybody will tell you who has played the game, it, it doesn’t need to be a lot of contact.
“But if there’s contact and you’re going at that speed and you’re fouled, why would Kyziridis go down if he’s got a chance? It’s a penalty kick.
ENDGAME…Hearts boss Derek McInnes and referee Steven McLean come face to face after the final whistle at Fir Park.
“I’m disappointed it’s not been given. I don’t know if it’s because we got the Kabore one, a few weeks ago and there was a lot mentioned about it. That was a stonewall penalty, but it got mentioned again this week.
“But this is a terrible decision. He had a bad night, Steven McLean. I’m not here to batter him, but I think he should see that as we all see it, as a penalty kick.”
McInnes also revealed midfielder Marc Leonard and centre-back Craig Halkett suffered Achilles injuries in the game and are OUT of the team’s last two matches of the season, at home to Falkirk on Wednesday and against Celtic at Parkhead on Saturday.
The under-pressure Tynecastle gaffer added: “Obviously, both boys are a bit distraught and our thoughts are with him at the minute.
A WORD IN YOUR EAR…an unhappy Derek McInnes has something to say to Steven McLean.
“But they’ll play no further part in these next two games. They both have been brilliant servants for us this season, but we need to contend with that.”
The Edinburgh club now have a four-point advantage over the champions who can cut that to one if they win today’s derby in the east end of Glasgow.
Martin O’Neill’s men will then face Motherwell at Fir Park in midweek before Hearts visit at the weekend.
*DON’T miss the unbeatable match report and best action images from Celtic v Rangers this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.
DIDN’T THEY DO WELL: HEARTS HELD
IT’S THE BOOK DEAL OF THE YEAR! You can now own a copy of ‘Celtic 50 Flags Plus One’ AND ‘Celtic Treble Treble’ for only £9.95 plus postage. Two stunning Celtic publications and you can save a massive £20! Order now! Just click the image for details and your books will be on their way. Happy reading!
