MCINNES ADMITS HEDGES’ RED CARD WAS RIGHT CALL

Aberdeen manager Derek Mcinnes admits Ryan Hedges’ red card during yesterday’s 2-1 defeat by Rangers was justified.

Hedges was sent off on 26 minutes after clipping Alfredo Morelos' heels as he looked set to pull the trigger from five yards out. Referee John Beaton pointed to the spot and dismissed Hedges.

Rangers captain James Tavernier sent his penalty wide of Joe Lewis’ goal but the Dons had to play the rest of the match without their in-form winger.

Mcinnes, inset, admitted he now realises that he cannot argue with the decision to dismiss Hedges.

"I did [have complaints] at the time," said the Dons boss. "My feeling at the time was Ryan did everything he could not to make the challenge.

"He didn't want to run into the back of Morelos and as a consequence we knew Morelos would get his shot away. You can see it with Hedges' body movement.

"The irony is, if we had actually made an attempt and swiped him down and not won the ball he would have got a yellow card and we could have continued to play with 11 men.

"It seems a really unfair outcome but John Beaton explained it to me at halftime. He said I've nowhere to go with this. I know it was accidental but because it wasn't a genuine attempt it has to be a red card. Once he explained it you have to say it was the right decision based on the laws."

Mcinnes was impressed with his players’ determination to stick to their task. "I thought the players were excellent,” he added.

“We're just disappointed not to have got anything from the game. A lot of teams would have folded at the second goal."