Leighton Clarkson has been told he was lucky to avoid a red card in the defeat to Rangers at Ibrox.
The Aberdeen star lunged into a tackle on Ridvan Yilmaz with his studs catching the defender high up on his leg when on the stretch to try to recapture a loose ball. Former English Premier League whistler Dermot Gallagher reckons the midfielder should have walked for the incident in Govan and believes that the only thing that may have saved him in the eyes of Kevin Clancy was the fact he slowed up before reaching the full-back.
He told Sky Sports: “I actually think this is a red card. I think what saves him is he slows up just before he gets there. Whether the referee thinks that has stopped the intensity or impact, I don’t know but I think if you plant your studs that high up on a player you run a massive risk. If he got a red card he couldn’t argue.”
It was a night to forget for Jimmy Thelin as his side suffered yet another defeat. They are now without a win in the last 12 outings as they continue on their horror slump after an incredible start to life under the Swede earlier this season.
Hamza Igamane opened the scoring before the returning Leon Balogun headed home in added-time at the end of the game to make sure of the points for Philippe Clement. Cyriel Dessers put the icing on the cake minutes later with a calm and composed finish.