United defender Connolly refuses to criticise Morelos despite clash
Dundee United defender Mark Connolly has refused to criticise Alfredo Morelos despite receiving a blow to the face from the Rangers striker.
Morelos has been handed a retrospective two-match ban after planting his fore arm into Connolly's jaw during last Sunday's Tannadice clash.
Referee Steven McLean booked More lo sf or the incident- but the Colombian found himself facing further action after SFA compliance officer Clare Whyte decided it was an act of violent conduct which merited stronger punishment.
But as far as Con nolly is concerned, the ugly episode which happened just 12 minutes into United's 2-1 defeat is water under the bridge.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow's trip to Hibernian, the Irishman said: "The jaw is fine, no problem at all. It was disappointing but it's been dealt with and we move on.
"It's something I don't really want to get involved in. Tempers fly in games but I'm fine and ready to go for Hibs on Saturday.
"I've got to stay calm in those situations because I want to be on the pitch for Dundee United and I want to get results.
"It was disappointing, but it's been dealt with and I don't want to make anything of it. I'm just moving on and I'll concentrate on my football.
"All the other stuff will be taken care of by the referees, the linesmen and obviously the SFA, who have now dealt with it.”
Former Hearts boss Craig Le vein suggested Mo re los had been riled up after Connolly had "left a couple" on the striker early in the match.
But Con nolly reckons his clash with the Colombian had more to do with Morelos' frustrations at his own performance, having notched up his sixth game in a row without a goal.
"He's a top-class player who is a brilliant striker," he added. "He's been one of the best strikers in the league for so many years. I think he can give it out and he takes it as a player as well.
"I wouldn't say (it was about) provoking him. He's an intelligent player, he knows what he needs to do to score goals and maybe he was a wee bit frustrated at the weekend.
"But I'm genuinely not too bothered about him. I'm more focused on my own game. On Sunday we gave ever y thing we could but unfortunately we just couldn't get the result."
Meanwhile, United's squad has been given the Covid-19 all- clear - but Micky Mellon admits assistant boss Stephen Frail is still struggling to shake off the effects of the virus.
Mellon re-emerged from self-isolation ahead of last Sunday's defeat to R angers, while the manager welcomed the last few remaining quarantined members of his firstteam squad back to training this week after the club's coronavirus outbreak.
But while the players have all been given a clean bill of health, Mellon said his No 2 is taking longer to recover.
He said: "Stevie is still not back in training yet but he's hoping he will be able to come up and show his face on Friday. He might also be able to come to the game on Saturday but he still doesn't feel at all well.
"He just wants to start getting out and about a little bit and hopefully we'll see some rapid improvement in him - but he has been very poorly.”