STOP PLAYING VICTIM CARD URGES McINNES

HAMILTON boss Martin Canning was wrong to play the victim card after the 2-0 defeat at Aberdeen on S u n d a y, says Dons manager Derek McInnes.

Accies l ost 2-0 i n the Ladbrokes Premiership opener at Pittodrie with defender Xavier Tomas sent off in the second half for two bookable offences.

Canning said afterwards: “I would say the referee was very inconsistent. He booked (Georgios) Sarris for persistent fouling but (Graeme) Shinnie must have made five or six fouls. If that’s not persistent, then I don’t know what is.”

Ahead of the Betfred Cup last-16 clash at Hamilton tonight, when McInnes was asked if he expected a robust approach from the home side, he revealed his concerns were elsewhere.

“I have absolutely no problem with Hamilton, the game is meant to be physical,” he said.

“I do have a problem with the manager’s comments about trying to get Graeme Shinnie sent off. He is in the fourth official’s ears but, when you look at it and we have watched the game back, he has only t wo minor infringements after being booked and it wasn’t the six fouls that Martin Canning (said).

“If I was Martin Canning I would probably be more keen to speak about my own player being foolish enough to be sent off after being booked.

“I feel Martin’s comments that them ‘being the wee team’, they get used to ‘playing against big teams who get all the decisions’ have to be addressed.”