ROBBO: I LOST IT A BIT JUST LIKE LENNON
BY ALAN MARSHALL JOHN ROBERTSON has joked he expects to be carpeted by the SFA after channelling Neil Lennon’s ‘aeroplane’ celebration in Inverness’ Scottish Cup win at Tannadice.
Robertson lost his cool after Aaron Doran’s last-gasp winner against Dundee United sent Caley Jags into the semi-final and dashed on to the pitch before regaining his composure.
The 54-year-old can see the similarities with Lenny running on at Easter Road during Hibs’ breathless 5-5 draw against Rangers on the final day of last season that prompted a ban.
There are no suggestions Robertson’s actions are being scrutinised by Hampden chiefs.
But he said: “I lost it for a moment there, it was a little bit of the Lennon aeroplane!
“I’ll be expecting a three-match ban from the SFA for that.”
The dramatic triumph, which came just five days after Inverness had been beaten 1-0 in the Championship by United, teed up a mouth-watering last-four clash against either Partick Thistle or Hearts, where Robertson remains a club icon.
The Caley Jags boss said: “First and foremost, we are just delighted to be in the semi-final. We deserve to be where we are, we’ve earned our place.
“We had played Dundee United earlier in the week and we had a lot of pressure late on and a few chances to grab a draw, so we knew we had to start quickly.
“That’s what gave us the advantage. We got on the front foot, got on top and didn’t relinquish that grip.
“The penalty for Nicky Clark to equalise was a real blow at the time but in the end we got the goal and it’s massive for everyone at the club.”
Robertson reserved special praise for the “magnificent” Doran after the Irishman ghosted into the box to latch on to Jordan White’s flick and nod Inverness through.
Doran put his head in where it hurt to beat two United defenders and the onrushing goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist to the decisive touch.
And Robertson added: “We kept going and kept throwing bodies forward.
“It was a great touch from Jordan and we encourage Aaron to get in there.
“He was magnificent and we always want him to get in between the defenders. He just timed that perfectly.
“He was brave, put his head in there and got his reward – it was a deserved victory for us.”