Hamilton star Dario Zanatta makes 'Dick Campbell's never happy' quip after controversial penalty award

Dario Zanatta laughed off Dick Campbell’s claims that Hamilton Accies shouldn’t have been awarded a penalty in their win over 10-man Arbroath.

The Canadian striker was denied a debut goal when his goal-bound strike was kept out by Lichties skipper Thomas O’Brien, which saw him sent off by referee David Munro, before Steve Lawson converted the penalty.

That incident left Lichties boss Campbell livid, claiming it was the ‘softest decision he’s seen in 33 years in the game’ and insisted O’Brien shouldn’t have been sent off.

But Zanatta smiled: "I don't think Dick Campbell is ever happy when a decision doesn't go his way, so it doesn't surprise me to hear what he said.

"But I thought it was a definite penalty and Steven put it away superbly.

“My take was it was definitely going in and he (O’Brien) went out of his way to save it.

"He didn't really complain after it so that tells me that he handballed it.

"Of course you want to get off the mark for a new club as quick as you can, but if I'm involved in goals and helping the team win, thats' the main thing.

"We were the better team in the first half and Arbroath almost got better with 10 men, surprisingly, but we definitely deserved the result.”

Zanatta arrived at Accies on Wednesday from Championship rivals Raith Rovers - where he scored 10 goals last season - on a two-year deal.

But it has also seen the ex-Hearts player reunited with Accies boss John Rankin after they worked together at Tynecastle, when Zanatta was coming through the youth ranks.

He added: "It was a really easy decision to come here.

"I've worked with the gaffer before and he was really keen to get me in the door.

"And that's what I want. I want a manager who is keen to play me and he made me feel wanted.

"I