Sent-off Caley boss baffled by penalty decisions

John Robertson was left baffled by his sending off amid high controversy in Dundee United’s opening-day triumph.

When Robbo queried Paul McMullan’s early and decisive penalty award, he was sent to the stand with barely 14 minutes gone. And it became a tale of two penalty controversies when Ross Draper was denied what the Caley Thistle manager felt was a “stonewall” spot-kick just before the break.

United, despite spending much of the second half pinned back, stood strong to fortify their Championship favourites’ tag – but it was an outcome mired in controversy.

A frustrated Robertson, who took great heart from his side’s overall performance in defeat, said: “I just asked the linesman if he was sure because Paul McMullan went down very easily. Our players are adamant there was no contact.

“That’s what I was sent to the stand for – no swearing, no misconduct.

“We then have a stonewall penalty ourselves, Ross Draper is clipped from behind, and he doesn’t give it. He books him.

“We could have been level and playing against 10 men.

“But in terms of our play, we were terrific today. We just need

Inverness CT ..........0 Dundee Utd ............1

Alasdair Fraser

a wee bit more quality and belief in the last third.”

The Caley Thistle players did their best to lift the home crowd with bright moments early on but United’s breakthrough came inside 13 minutes.

Brad Mckay tripped the lively McMullan in the penalty area, referee Craig Thomson pointed to the spot and the former Celtic kid took the kick himself to send Mark Ridgers the wrong way.

With Robertson sent to the stand, home anger seemed to stir his side’s efforts and the best play through the rest of the half came from them.

That home frustration turned to outrage a minute before the break when Tam Scobbie seemed to trip Draper as he jinked past challenges in the penalty box – only for appeals to be dismissed.

And for all the home pressure and momentum after the break, there was little to show for it.

United boss Ray MacKinnon said: “We weren’t at our best today but I’m delighted. Our goalkeeper didn’t have a lot to do and a clean sheet is great – and there was no doubt about our penalty award, it was clear-cut.”