CLARKE COMMENTS SHOCKED ME, SAYS McINNES

ABERDEEN boss Derek McInnes admits he was taken aback by Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke’s outburst after their Scottish Cup clash at Pittodrie last week. Clarke called for the Scottish Football Association to act as McInnes appeared to question a penalty decision after Jordan Jones was brought down after colliding with Shay Logan and Kari Arnason. The Killie boss believed McInnes was branding his winger a diver, and said after the 1-1 draw: ‘I thought he was out of order... surely the authorities should ask him to explain himself.’ McInnes, whose Aberdeen side are looking to cement their place in the Ladbrokes Premiership top three as they take on Partick Thistle today, denied that he called Jones a diver, but admits he was surprised by the way Clarke handled the affair. ‘It was a bit bizarre, to be honest, because it’s Steve who has brought it into the public domain,’ he said. ‘My comments — having looked back at them — were about trying to defend Shay because I know Steve was keen to get Shay sent off and was then keen to get me into trouble with the SFA, but he actually got the penalty. ‘It’s not me that’s brought it into the public domain, it’s not me that should be commenting. ‘If I wanted to, I would have mentioned that he (Jones) got booked for diving a few weeks ago in the league and I would have mentioned that he’s been booked for diving already this season and I would have mentioned that he got booked for diving last season, but I didn’t. ‘It’s Steve that has brought it into the public domain. I have no problem with Jordan Jones, it was a penalty kick. ‘I think the referee made the right decision but it wasn’t a foul by Shay Logan either. ‘It’s much ado about nothing, I like Jordan Jones as a player. I tried to sign him in the summer, so there are no problems with him either. ‘I am having to react to a comment by Steve.’ Jones, meanwhile, is an injury doubt for Tuesday’s Scottish Cup replay at Rugby Park after sustaining a hamstring injury in Killie’s Premiership win over St Johnstone on Wednesday. The Northern Irish winger will sit out today’s match at home to Ross County.