SPL

St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson bemoans penalty decision at Ross County

By Sports Desk February 27, 2024

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson felt his side should have been awarded a penalty in their 1-1 draw at Ross County.

The Buddies had to come from behind after an Alex Gogic mistake allowed Jordan White to slot past goalkeeper Zach Hemming early on, but Robinson felt a possible handball from Ross County’s Ryan Leak should have been checked by VAR.

Toyosi Olusanya salvaged a point late on for St Mirren, but Robinson said: “There was a blatant handball and I believe it wasn’t checked.

“That happened before the foul, so I don’t understand why that would be.

“I can’t control that, but it seems quite obvious from what we’ve seen and what we’ve been told.

“We were not at the top of our game, there were three or four players who were below what they have been recently, but we showed great character to get back into it and get a point – and it could have been three with the chance at the end.

“We didn’t start well. We made a mistake, which is so uncharacteristic of Alex, but he showed great mentality to play the way he did after.

“Ross County scored with their only shot on goal, which came from our mistake. But we didn’t play as well as we can.

“The subs gave us a real impetus when they came on. A point away from home is a point gained. If we can take seven points from this week it would be fantastic for us.”

Ross County interim manager Don Cowie looked at the result as two points dropped after they had enjoyed the lead for so long in the match.

“It was two points dropped, especially when you’re leading with five minutes to go,” Cowie said.

“It wasn’t the greatest game or the best performance from us but when you’re leading at that stage you have to get the points.

“I thought we defended very well until the goal.

“St Mirren are a very good team with a lot of players who can hurt you but I thought we kept them pretty quiet so it’s frustrating.

“The message before the game was to build on Saturday and we’ve done that by adding a point. It’s a step in the right direction, taking four from six, and we want to add to that against Hibs now.”

Related items

  • Emotional Thiago Silva confirms Chelsea departure but vows to return 'in another role' Emotional Thiago Silva confirms Chelsea departure but vows to return 'in another role'

    Thiago Silva will leave Chelsea at the end of the campaign, but hopes to return down the line in another role.

    Silva, who joined Chelsea as a free agent after leaving Paris Saint-Germain in 2020, has made 151 appearances for the club and helped them win the Champions League, Club World Cup and Super Cup.

    The 39-year-old, however, will not be staying at Stamford Bridge for a fifth campaign.

    In an emotional interview with the club's media channels, the Brazilian said: "Chelsea means a lot to me. I came here with the intention of only staying for one year and it ended up being four years.

    "Not just for me but for my family, too. My sons play for Chelsea so it's a source of great pride to be a member of the Chelsea family.

    "I hope my sons can continue with their careers here at this victorious club that many players wish to be a part of.

    "I think everything I did here over the four years, I always gave my all but, unfortunately, everything has a start, a middle and an end.

    "It's an indescribable love. I can only say thank you."

    However, Silva is set on returning to the club once his playing days are over.

    He added: "That doesn't mean that this is a definitive end, I have to leave the door open so that in the near future I can return, albeit in another role here.

    "Obviously, when I started here, it was during the pandemic, so there weren't any fans in the stadium, but through social media it became something very special to me and then when the fans started coming back, and life was getting back to normal, I started to feel a lot of affection and respect for my story and for my start here.

    "So, it is already hard saying goodbye in the most normal of circumstances, but when there is a mutual love, it's even harder. But once a Blue, always a Blue."

    Silva has worked under a variety of managers during his time at Chelsea, including Mauricio Pochettino, Graham Potter, Thomas Tuchel and Frank Lampard, who brought him to the club.

    "The way in which I came here, with the support of the club, I got to be a leader of the club having arrived as the new guy," Silva continued.

    "It's always difficult to integrate, but bit by bit, I became part of the group and Lampard played a big part in that, so I am grateful to him for that.

    "Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I could achieve such great things and win one of the best professional titles, the Champions League, at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

    "Goodbyes are for those that leave and don't come back. I intend on coming back one day."

    Silva will be hoping to bid farewell to Chelsea on a high note by propelling them to European qualification.

  • Ederson injury 'doesn't look good', says Guardiola Ederson injury 'doesn't look good', says Guardiola

    Pep Guardiola conceded Ederson's injury "doesn't look good" as Manchester City were forced to wait on the severity of the issue.

    Ederson had to be taken off at half-time during City's 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday, a victory that took them back to within a point of Premier League leaders Arsenal with a game in hand.

    The Brazil international needed treatment on an apparent shoulder injury after a collision with Forest defender Willy Boly.

    Ederson was seen with his arm in a sling after full-time at the City Ground.

    And Guardiola said: "It doesn't look good. We will see [on Monday] with the doctor." 

    Stefan Ortega again stepped up in Ederson's absence, with City's number two having performed well when called upon this campaign.

    Ortega has made seven Premier League appearances this season, making 16 saves from 22 shots on target faced, giving him a save percentage of 72.7.

    Ederson, meanwhile, has a save percentage of 67.1, keeping out 53 of the 79 attempts on target he has faced.

    Ortega has a slightly better goals prevented figure of 1.6 compared to Ederson's 1.0.

  • Recruitment crucial if Slot gets Liverpool job, warns Brands Recruitment crucial if Slot gets Liverpool job, warns Brands

    Arne Slot must only settle for the best in the transfer market if he succeeds Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager at the end of the season.

    That is the view of PSV president Marcel Brands, who has warned Slot against taking several Eredivisie players with him in comments which might be interpreted as a dig at Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.

    Liverpool are reportedly close to reaching an agreement with Feyenoord to appoint Slot, who led the Rotterdam giants to just their second league title this century in 2022-23.

    Should Slot get the job, he will be taking over at what could be a time of great upheaval at Anfield. 

    Star forward Mohamed Salah could follow Klopp through the exit door as he enters the final 12 months of his contract, with renewed interest from the Saudi Pro League likely. 

    The Egyptian was involved in a public spat with Klopp during Saturday's 2-2 draw with West Ham and has only scored three Premier League goals since going to the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

    Asked how Slot should approach taking over during a time of transition, Brands told Goedemorgen Eredivisie: "Don't focus blindly on signing five Dutch players.

    "He has to look very carefully at what he needs with his style of football, and only settle for top players."

    Brands' comments come as Slot's fellow Dutchman Ten Hag continues to attract fierce criticism amid an underwhelming second campaign at Old Trafford, with Eredivisie recruits Antony, Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez having limited impacts this term.

    Brands has warned Slot the pressure awaiting him at Anfield will match that Ten Hag has faced at United, saying: "Slot will be working at one of the biggest clubs in England. 

    "You have to realise that. Liverpool have supporters from all over the world, and the pressure is always there. 

    "Just like Manchester United, they really are the biggest clubs in England, but it is a fantastic challenge."

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.