Teale takes officials to task after sinning Saints are mugged
ST MIRREN’S interim boss Gary Teale can expect a summons from Tony McGlennan, the SFA’s compliance officer, in the next few days following his post-match outburst about the performance of referee Steven McLean and his assistant, Andrew McWilliam.
He was livid about the decision to show Yoann Arquin a second yellow card for what looked like a dive in the 79th minute.
Teale was equally upset that Dundee’s equalising goal had not been chalked off but there is a growing feeling in Paisley that the Buddies are being persecuted by officials.
On New Year’s Day, Kenny McLean was dismissed by referee Willie Collum, who awarded Kilmarnock two soft penalties in their 2-1 victory.
McLean’s red card was rescinded, as was the one awarded to Arquin in Dingwall last week, but Teale does not believe his players are getting a fair crack of the whip.
‘For the sending-off, James McPake stood on Yoann’s foot,’ he said. ‘The referee has said Yoann has then taken another step but McPake has obviously done enough to put him off balance and he’s gone down.
‘I’m not saying it was preempted but I also felt his first booking was very soft as well. Was that because we had the red card rescinded last week? I don’t know. That’s a very cynical view to take. But, when you look back on it again, you can understand my frustrations. And we can’t appeal it either as it’s two yellows. Decisions have cost us in a lot of games.
‘The first goal was offside. I’ve seen the pictures back again. How officials can keep getting these decisions wrong beggars belief.’
Dundee spent most of the first half on the back foot but it took until the 40th minute for the home side to take the lead.
It was all down to the drive and determination of top scorer Kenny McLean, who collected a pass from Stephen Mallan before striding forward and unleashing a 22-yard piledriver.
McLean should have claimed his second early in the second period but headed Mallan’s corner over from six yards out.
Dundee levelled soon after and it was another well-crafted goal. Paul McGowan’s chip released Greg Stewart and he cleverly lured Mark Ridgers from his goal before squaring for the onrushing Gary Irvine to prod into the empty net.
The goal which put Dundee in front had a touch of fortune about it. Iain Davidson’s shot might not have beaten Ridgers if it hadn’t been for the deflection it took off Jason Naismith as he tried to block.
Arquin’s dismissal ended hopes of a fightback and it looked as though referee McLean got it right when he decided the player had gone to ground too easily.
Matchwinner Davidson was taken to hospital after suffering an ankle injury late on but Stewart was delighted with the victory and denied that their first was offside.
‘That’s five games unbeaten since the derby now and there’s no reason why we can’t extend that run against Hamilton at home next Saturday,’ he said. ‘We always thought we could challenge for the top six and that’s us just one point behind St Johnstone now.
‘Gary wasn’t offside. If anything, I thought I played the ball back to him and he was running so fast that he
nearly missed it.’