McInnes has ‘a problem’ with Canning’s claims

Hamilton boss Martin Canning was wrong to play the victim card after the 2-0 defeat at Aberdeen on Sunday, says Dons manager Derek McInnes.

Accies lost 2-0 in the Premiership opener at Pittodrie with defender Xavier Tomas sent off for two bookable offences.

Canning said: “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.

“There was a lot went against us, but that’s what happens to smaller clubs when the crowd is against you. I don’t want to see players getting sent off, but if you’re going to book my players for persistent fouling then it has to work both ways.”

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 two 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.