O’Donnell wants rules to be clearer
MOTHERWELL full-back Stephen O’Donnell has called for a simplification of the rules as he prepares to return to the Fir Park starting line-up for this evening’s game against St Mirren.
O’Donnell has served his suspension following his dismissal in the Lanarkshire derby, a penalty he incurred for a tug on the shirt of Hamilton’s Ross Callachan. The Scotland internationalist apologised for the incident after the game but has raised an eyebrow about whether the letter of the law is applied across the board.
“It’s frustrating because I have not tried to end the boy’s career,” he said. “You make a split-second decision and he goes down.
“It is a penalty and it is red with the rules. The linesman had great vision, though, as he managed to see it through four bodies, but he did get it right.
“There was a similar one with Alfredo Morelos in Europe on Thursday night and the boy doesn’t get sent off. All anyone wants is clarity so the rules are not so complicated.
“Everyone just wants some consistency. I know VAR would cost too much for Scotland, but even with it there are so many inconsistencies in England as well.
“It is a killer for refs and I don’t think we should be blaming them all the time. I just think we need to simplify the rules a bit. It doesn’t need to be so complicated.
“Players know the rules and what we can and can’t do – we just need to get better and making the right decisions.
“But on the whole I think we would all like a wee bit more simplicity that would make it a lot easier for the refs. We don’t want to be talking about their decisions more often than not.”
Of more pressing importance is tonight’s game in Paisley.
Motherwell’s recent performances and results have dragged them back into the mire with O’Donnell warning that the focus now has to be on climbing back up the table.
“It is one game at a time and it is the mentality that should have been in place from the start of the season,” he said. “It is a big game and St Mirren have a lot to play for as they push for top six. We played well in the first game against them up at St Mirren and I don’t see any reason why we can’t push on.
“Hopefully if we stick together and get a few bodies back it can help us. I thought Max Johnson did very well so I hope I am selected but myself and I think Allan Campbell should be back. If there are few other injuries coming back then hopefully that can give us a wee lift but it is irrelevant because we are a team and we have enough quality to do better.”
Meanwhile, Ryan Flynn is wishing St Mirren team-mates Jamie McGrath and Jake Doyle-Hayes a speedy recovery – even though he knows it could put his place in Jim Goodwin’s team under threat.
McGrath suffered a dislocated shoulder against Celtic earlier this month while former Aston Villa youngster Doyle-Hayes injured his foot against Aberdeen.
Goodwin feared both Irishmen – who are among his top performers – could be out for the remainder of the season.
But the good news for the Buddies boss is the pair are both likely to be available before the split as Saints look to clinch their place in the top six.
“Suspensions and injuries have helped me get back in the team but the bigger the squad you have the better,” he said. “I definitely don’t want to see boys getting injured and hopefully the likes of Jamie and Jake can come back soon.”