The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Dons boss slams racist abuse of Celtic star
‘Appalling and shocking’
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has criticised the Dons supporter who racially abused Celtic winger Scott Sinclair during the Betfred Cup final at Hampden.
Sinclair posted a video on his Twitter account appearing to show the winger being racially abused as he stepped up to take a penalty that was saved by Dons goalkeeper Joe Lewis.
The 29-year-old Englishman said: “Just seen the video from Sunday’s game. Absolute disgrace for the ignorance of the uneducated fan shouting racial abuse.”
McInnes condemned the actions and said: “Any racial abuse, in this day and age, is shocking. It’s embarrassing for the individual.
“It’s not a club issue for me. It’s the individual.
“That type of comment was maybe normal practice in the 60s and 70s, and it was appalling then and shocking then, and even more so now. It’s shocking that Scott Sinclair and any other player is still subjected to that.”
Meanwhile, Dons midfielder Connor McLennan has signed a new deal that will keep him at Pittodrie until the end of the 2020-21 season.
The Peterhead-born 19-year-old came on as a first half substitute for Gary Mackay-Steven in last Sunday’s Betfred Cup final defeat by Celtic and started Wednesday’s 1-0 win against Rangers at Ibrox.
He said: “As soon as I heard about it, I couldn’t wait to get the contract signed.
“It’s been a great week for me, having been involved in the Betfred Cup final and then starting at Ibrox on Wednesday for what was a massive win.
“The team were all desperate to make amends for Sunday and it was a great feeling. My objective now is to cement a regular place in the first team.”
The Dons will look to build on their Ibrox success with a victory against in-form St Johnstone at Pittodrie today.
Gary Mackay-Steven (concussion) and Mikey Devlin (foot) remain sidelined, while Sam Cosgrove is suspended after being sent off against Rangers.
Cosgrove appeared unfortunate to see red for a second booking following a challenge with Gers defender Connor Goldson with McInnes calling for video assistant referees (VAR) to be used in the Scottish Premiership.
He said: “There is a boy getting paid to play who can’t play based on the wrong decision. It’s ridiculous.
“Mistakes happen and I do think our authorities should be looking to try VAR or some sort of system similar to VAR.”
Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell last night confirmed the game’s governing bodies will consider introducing VAR in the wake of recent criticism of referees.
Do you know the Aberdeen supporter who racially abused Scott Sinclair? Email pj.sport@ajl.co.uk
“It’s not a club issue for me. It’s the individual”