Neilson takes a point from first home game
DUNDEE United 1 Safranko (55) inverness ct 1 White (73)
Raging John Robertson let rip at under-fire referee Euan Anderson – and claimed he allowed Dundee United boss Robbie Neilson to bully him into turning against his team.
Inverness gaffer Robertson was furious at the sight of Neilson striding on to the park at half-time to complain about Caley Thistle’s tackles before following it up with further words during the interval.
The Highlanders had defender Coll Donaldson sent-off in the dying minutes after striker Jordan White’s 73rd-minute header had cancelled out Pavol Safranko’s 55th minute headed opener for the Tangerines.
It helped preserve Inverness’s proud unbeaten record to the start of this new Championship but Robertson still couldn’t hide his anger as he prepares to raise the controversial issue with SFA refereeing supremo John Fleming.
Roberston said: “I don’t think it’s right that the referee should be approached on the pitch at half-time, nor should the opposition manager be speaking outside his room for four or five minutes at the interval.
“The result was that our first three tackles in the second-half – even though every single one of them wins the ball – ends up in yellow-cards.
“It ultimately leads to Coll Donaldson getting sent-off.
“I heard what was said at half-time and what Robbie said was spot-on, that a few of our boys were sliding in and maybe looked dangerous.
“I could understand that but I’m sure
that there are rules in place which state you cannot go on to the pitch at halftime and then approach the referee at half-time and go to his door.
“To be honest, I’m pretty sure that affected how the referee officiated the match at the start of the second-half.
“I think the referee put himself under pressure by allowing that to happen. It’s down to one man and one man only.”
Neilson had urged their supporters pre-match to create a lively atmosphere in what was his first home match in
charge as they sought to build on their 2-1 win at Partick Thistle the previous weekend. They’d been well warned about facing an Inverness side who’d last tasted defeat in the league way back in March and were sitting just above them in the table.
Joe Chalmers, Inverness’ elegant midfielder, did come close towards the half-hour mark when his shot took a deflection off Fraser Fyvie and skidded just wide.
United went on the offensive soon
afterwards with Paul Mcmullan gathering possession just outside the penalty area, only to see his curled effort gathered by visiting keeper Mark Ridgers who then saved from Billy King.
Safranko had the best chance to break the deadlock in 36 minutes, but the Slovakian’s close-range shot was blocked by Brad Mckay.
The second-half started with White coming close from Carl Tremarco’s measured cross, and at the other end Safranko headed wide after decent work down the flank by Fraser Aird.
But, in 55 minutes, Safranko struck with a textbook header from Aird’s corner which looked like giving them the three points.
However, Inverness had other ideas and striker White rose among a ruck of bodies to head home Liam Polworth’s free-kick.
With 10 minutes left, White should have won it for the visitors following Polworth’s through pass, but could only shoot wide on his weaker left foot, but they held on despite Donaldson’s late dismissal.
Neilson said: “I just felt there were a few challenges which were borderline which the referee should have nipped in the bud.
“I thought it was a great game to be involved in and the supporters appreciated what the players put into it.”