Hibs paid the penalty for ref’s Pittodrie howlers
Shaun Maloney reckons referee Alan Muir made two costly mistakes that were major factors in Hibernian’s defeat at Pittodrie.
The official awarded Aberdeen two penalties, converted by Lewis Ferguson, in the home side’s 3-1 victory.
The Easter Road club’s boss is convinced the first half one given for handball against Rocky Bushiri was rough justice on the on- loan Norwich City defender.
Maloney h ad no complaints about the spot kick from which Ferguson edged the Dons in front in 64 minutes.
However he is prepared to appeal the red card issued to Ryan Porteous for conceding it when taking out Ross Mccorie in the process.
That was Porteous’ second dismissal this season after being sent off at Ibrox earlier in the campaign but Maloney was far from happy with the referee’s decisions.
He said: “In the last half hour being down to 10 men it skews the feeling but the game changed with two decisions.
“For the first penalty the ball hits Rocky’s knee before it hit his arm. The rules mean it shouldn’t be a penalty.
“It was definitely a penalty with Ryan but he made a genuine attempt to win the ball so he shouldn’t be red-carded.
“We weren’t playing fantastically well in the first half but Aberdeen weren’t creating much opportunities.
“I think the referee thought Ryan didn’t make an attempt to win the ball but if you look at it back he does go for the ball. He gets the man so it’s a penalty, but the red card is incorrect.
“At the moment I think I will appeal it. We’ll look at it on Monday but for me it was incorrect.
“He didn’t see the ball deflect off Rocky’s knee on to his arm.
“If he’s got that wrong he says he apologises but people make mistakes. When we have moments like that, it’s very difficult but that’s football.”
The result sees Hibernian slip back to fifth place, just two points above Aberdeen who remain in 10th spot.
Maloney’s side are two points behind fourthplaced Dundee United after a shocking run of one win in 11 league games.
The teams meet at Easter Road in a fortnight and he know show crucial it is to improve their dismal record.
He added: “We play Dundee United next so we face a huge game but our fans were amazing even when we were 3-1 down.
“I’m going to need them at home for that match but the players gave me everything in the last half hour.
“We need a big performance against Dundee United but that’s something we are more than capable of.