Caley Thistle manager says referee guessed handball decision in Hearts defeat
CALEY Thistle manager John Robertson claimed the referee’s “guess” about the new handball rule was the difference in his side’s 1-0 Betfred League Cup defeat against Hearts.
Full back Cameron Harper was penalised for handball by referee Steven Maclean, which lead to Jamie Walker scoring from the penalty spot to give his team all three points.
Robertson defended Harper saying under the handball law, he did not commit a foul as his arms were not sticking out.
“You can see from the new rules that he has guessed,” he said.
“We have talked about the new rules and we went through the various scenarios and we were told that if your arms are inside the bodyline, it is not a penalty.
“He has not put his arms or elbows out, so unfortunately it looks like he has guessed.
“We’ve seen controversial penalty kicks, but that is controversial for the wrong reasons. If his arms are out we would accept that. Cameron has defended with his arms in, so it is disappointing.”
Due to a number of injuries, Robertson fielded several young players at Tynecastle on Tuesday night. Roddy MacGregor and Daniel MacKay both started alongside Harper, while Lewis Hyde came on a substitute.
Robertson says it was an impressive performance from the youngsters against an experienced Hearts side, which included Scotland internationals such as goalkeeper Craig Gordon and striker Steven Naismith.
Inverness could have got at least a point out of the game as they created good chances in the closing stages. Robertson said it was a lesson learned in being clinical in front of goal.
“Over the piece we matched Hearts for long periods of the game. Hearts edged it in chances, but in the last 10 minutes we had three glorious chances to equalise,” he said.
“But I can’t praise the young lads enough.
“We had a number of teenagers playing due to a lack of bodies, so if we can get all those lads back fit and get them working as hard as that, we’ll do well.
“Nikolay Todorov was through twice and the second one he should score.
“We worked them and Hearts looked nervous towards the end because they hadn’t put the game to bed.
“They had opportunities, but we had good chances as well, and that was the difference.
“Unfortunately, it took a guess from the referee, but we may get one like that later in the season.”
