Motherwell 2, Aberdeen 0: Clinical Well see off 10-man Dons

By Ian Steven

Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell backed referee Nick Walsh over the controversial red card dished out to Aberdeen defender Slobodan Rubezic in an incident that helped the Steelmen secure three points against their Grampian opponents at Fir Park.

The Montenegrin defender clashed with Tony Watt in front of the dug outs, appearing to push the on-loan Dundee United striker, leaving Kettewell assured of the accuracy of the referee’s decision.

“ It looked as if Rubezic jumps up and makes contact”, Kettlewell stated. “And I've actually just seen the television pictures there which kind of confirmed that as well, so, I don't know that there's much to contest there.

“I don't think you'll get away with that reaction. We had a straight red card to Dan Casey for nothing like that which was obviously rescinded. So, you can say it's a break or whatever.

"When moving through the spell that we have done in the last number of weeks you'll understand that I'm not going to speak too much about it.

“I'll just let it go and I feel that it was probably justified. I think the referee’s probably got it right.”

Motherwell started the match far sharper than in recent fixtures, forcing the Dons onto the back foot, and Kettlewell admitted this was something his side had touched on in preparation for Aberdeen.

“ The absence of a performance against Hearts, was my biggest point that I wanted to address today and that was what the players wanted.

"It’s fine and well me saying that, but they were hurt a little bit. They were a bit sore from the performance just a few days ago. And I just felt that they gave us that today, right from the word go.

"I thought we looked as if we were in connection with everything that we were trying to