Protective Glass: Boss backs red-carded Don
Harkes (80)
Aberdeen boss Stephen Glass denied suggestions he was questioning Bobby Madden’s integrity – then vowed to stick by red-carded ace Funso Ojo.
Glass spoke out at the end of this explosive encounter on Tayside which saw him sent off by whistler Madden in the tunnel at half-time after Ojo had been controversially dismissed for an altercation with a Dundee United fan.
The 29-year-old midfielder had clearly been pushed in the chest by a supporter on the stroke of half-time when his momentum had carried him into the crowd behind Benjamin Siegrist’s goal.
It capped a fiery few minutes which had earlier seen experienced United midfielder Calum Butcher shown a straight red card for raising his hand at Dons striker Christian Ramirez.
And Glass, who endured the pain of watching Ian Harkes slam home an 80th-minute winner for the Tangerines, flatly denied that he was calling into
account Madden’s integrity.
Glass said: “Funso gets pushed and goes back to the incident.
“I think the referee could protect the player rather than brandish a second yellow card.
“Funso is a competitor and a fighter. I have challenged a couple of his (Madden’s) decisions, but not this particular incident.
“The one I’m concerned about was when Pawlett hit Jack Mckenzie in the head.
“I’ve seen the same referee red-card a Livingston player for touching an opposition player.
“So that’s all I was asking the referee about and I’m not questioning Bobby Madden’s integrity in any shape or form.
“I haven’t spoken to Funso personally but he looks disappointed and let us down a little bit. It was a bit of indiscipline.
“But it’s difficult to walk away from the situation. I’ll support the player regardless, though.
“I’m sure Dundee United will deal with the situation themselves. The biggest concern for me is the goal we conceded – if you don’t defend set-pieces then you’re likely to lose.”
It was a slow start. Dylan Mcgeouch had the first effort on goal after nine minutes as he unleashed a shot from outside the box which was saved by Siegrist.
The Dons threatened again
after 14 minutes. This time Ramirez tried his luck from the edge of the box but couldn’t get his effort on target.
It took until almost the half-hour mark for Kieran Freeman to register United’s first real effort on goal. Set up by Ilmari Niskanen, the youngster shot wide of Joe Lewis’s goal.
But all hell broke loose four minutes from half-time.
Butcher should have known better when a mini-fracas broke out and he stupidly lashed out at Ramirez.
It was in full view of Madden who sent him packing for violent conduct.
Then, three minutes later, Ojo joined him for an early bath having earlier been booked.
The Dons ace couldn’t stop himself from ending up in the crowd where he was clearly shoved in the chest but Madden sent him packing for his part in the clash.
In 68 minutes, Dons substitute Teddy Jenks caught a glimpse of goal, only to see his well-drilled shot parried away by Siegrist.
But United’s perseverance at the other end paid off 10 minutes from time.
Scott Mcmann’s cross following a corner fell to Harkes who shot from 14 yards with the outside of his right boot to leave Lewis helpless and send the home fans delirious.