Saints star urges SFA to quash McDonald red card
THE St Mirren player allegedly elbowed by Scott McDonald has urged the SFA to rescind the red card which threatens to rule the Motherwell striker out of both legs of the Premiership Play-Off Final. Thomas Reilly went down after being struck by the Australian during his team’s 2-1 win over Motherwell on Saturday — but insists the former Celtic star was only shielding himself and did not intend to hurt him. McDonald was sent off towards the end of the defeat which condemned the Fir Park club to 11th place and a two-legged tie to preserve their top-flight status. Referee Brian Colvin dismissed the 31-year-old after consulting with fourth official Andrew Dallas. The offence of violent conduct carries a three-game suspension — which means McDonald’s season could now be over. Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough immediately confirmed the club will appeal the red card, before Saints forward Reilly emerged as an unlikely character witness. The 20-year-old said: ‘Motherwell will want to get Scott back for the play-offs and I wouldn’t like to see any player miss big games like that. ‘I was just turning around, Scott was shielding himself and he hit me — but I wouldn’t say it was a red card. It was the referee’s decision. It had nothing to do with me. ‘But he didn’t intentionally
try to hurt me. I don’t think so, knowing the kind of guy he is. He’s a good lad and wouldn’t do that. ‘Motherwell will look to appeal because Scott is a big player for them. ‘I want to see him playing and, hopefully, he will be able to do so and get back into the team.’ John Sutton opened the scoring for Motherwell from the penalty spot on 75 minutes but a Mark O’Brien own goal drew St Mirren level. Stevie Mallan then fired a dramatic winner for the Paisley club seven minutes into injury time after McDonald had been sent off. Baraclough insisted referee Colvin had blundered over the red card but, even if the appeal fails, he vowed Motherwell would be confident going into the play-off without their talisman. ‘It would be a travesty if Scott gets a three-game ban because it was a poor decision (by Colvin),’ he said. ‘I’ve seen it back and Scott has not made contact. There’s no maliciousness to go and make contact either. I think when the officials see it, they will agree. ‘It’s a massive call at a big time in the season and we will appeal. It won’t be a frivolous appeal either. Scott is distraught and angry and has every right to be. ‘He was expecting a challenge from behind and has gone to hold off the player but that has been deemed as throwing an elbow. ‘I’m still not sure who made the decision. I was invited in at the end (by the officials) and they said it as a collective. ‘I don’t believe the referee saw it, so he is going on the say-so of the people around him, which is quite right. ‘But I was in the same position as the fourth official and the linesman — and how you could be sure from that angle is something that is getting at me. ‘To miss someone like Scott would be a blow but it wouldn’t be the end of the world. If the appeal isn’t successful, someone has to step up to the plate.’