McInnes fires back at Levein after some spots of trouble

ABERDEEN manager Derek McInnes blasted back at Craig Levein last night after the Hearts boss claimed his side were denied two surefire penalties at Pittodrie.

Levein believes Steven Naismith was fouled by Max Lowe prior to Steven MacLean having a shot saved on 32 minutes and that defender Peter Haring was also barged in the back as the Tynecastle side lost 2-0.

However, McInnes quickly hit back and insisted that only one team merited the win. ‘Sometimes, that is standard with Craig and Hearts,’ he said. ‘They’re always looking for penalties.

‘It has gone from two penalties in the BBC interview and he seemingly said three penalties in here (the press room). Between trackside and here, they have gained another penalty claim.

‘The only one I can think of was Naismith with Lowe when MacLean got his chance. If there was a coming-together, I think he is too far away from it to be involved.

‘I’ll take you back to Tynecastle (in October when Hearts beat Aberdeen 2-1) and they got two penalties.

‘One was particularly soft and one was never a penalty when Naismith bundles into the back of Lewis Ferguson. We felt a real injustice then.

‘Let’s make it clear. The better team won (today).’

In fairness, Levein did not suggest his side should have had three penalties, but he was unhappy with referee John Beaton’s display.

‘My biggest gripe, once again, was that I thought there were three penalty decisions to be made and the softest of the lot was the one that was given,’ he said.

‘Naismith was pulled to the ground. I asked him (Beaton) but he said he didn’t see it and Haring had a free header when he was barged in the back. Both of those claims were denied.

‘Big decisions and goals change games. It becomes exasperating when you feel you are complaining about the same things.’

McInnes felt Naismith should have been ordered off when picking up a yellow card for appearing to tread on Ferguson and sparking a melee in front of the dugouts.

‘I felt it was a red card,’ he said. ‘I haven’t seen it again. At the time, I thought the challenge was disappointing.’

Hearts were eventually reduced to 10 men when Demetri Mitchell was sent packing for bringing down Dean Campbell and Levein accepted that decision.

‘No complaints,’ said Levein. ‘He is on a yellow card, he knows it’s not even a situation where we were in trouble. Sheer stupidity.’

McInnes has Lowe added to his injury list for Wednesday’s visit from Celtic but is confident his team can win to match the champions on points at the top.

He said: ‘Celtic have shown they are the best team — but they are a team we feel we can beat.’