MAKE IT OFFICIAL
Robbo wants Keatings appeal win in writing
JOHN ROBERTSON won’t celebrate the SFA’s shock U-turn on James Keatings’ cup final ban until he is sure sanity has prevailed.
The Caley Thistle boss, while welcoming moves to look again at the much-ridiculed ruling, insists his club have been told nothing new by the Hampden Park authority.
Keatings got a second yellow card for allegedly diving during the 2-1 Challenge Cup semi-final victory over Rangers Colts.
Caley appealed the punishment but ref Greg Aitken stood by his judgment despite powerful TV evidence to the contrary.
The three-man SFA judicial committee supported Aitken but the SFA backed down under pressure at the weekend when it emerged one of the appeals panel hadn’t viewed the footage.
Robertson is far too wary of the unpredictable process to take anything for granted regarding Keatings’ chances of facing Raith Rovers in the Perth final on March 28.
The gaffer said: “All we’ve got is the same statement as they put out generally.
“We’ve not heard anything in writing from them other than they’re going to revisit the case.
“Hopefully, going forward it is reheard and the proper and just decision is come to.
“We’ve seen the reaction to the previous decision. For now all we can do is wait and see what officially comes in writing to us.
“It’s a not a victory because, at this moment in time, James is still suspended.”
Robertson was more concerned with maintaining a sharp focus on league affairs tonight away to Dunfermline.
Five points separate the second-top visitors from the fifth-placed Pars, with Robbo intent on stretching that gap with a crucial win.
He also knows the Highlanders can ill-afford to let thoughts stray beyond the match to Friday night’s Scottish Cup quarterfinal test away to Hibs. Robbo said: “Including Friday we’ll have 10 games all the way through to March 28.
“It’s a tall order but we feel we have the squad to handle that.
“We’ll freshen it up and make changes from game to game.
“We’ve looked at the team for Dunfermline because it is a vital game for us – that’s the only game we’re concentrating on. But cup runs can have a positive effect. You want to get as far as you can in every competition.”
Dunfermline boss Stevie Crawford insists the Keatings row will have no bearing on tonight’s clash.
He said: “It won’t have an effect on how Inverness prepare. Robbo and his staff will take care of that.”