St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson calls for refereeing consistency following opening day defeat

Callum Davidson called for refereeing consistency after St Johnstone’s opening day defeat to Hibs.

Referee Euan Anderson flashed a second half straight red at midfielder Murray Davidson for a late challenge on Ryan Porteous.

Perth boss Davidson felt, if that was worthy of a red, so was the tackle of visiting full-back Marijan Cabraja on Ryan McGowan as the game reached its latter stages. Only a yellow was shown.

“I’m just looking for consistency in decisions,” Davidson said. “That’s the biggest thing for me.

“There are two massive talking points in the game.

“You come to the Murray Davidson sending off... whether it was or not is debatable.

“You come to that second tackle, to me it’s the exact same tackle, there is no difference at all, and he gives him a yellow.

“I’ve seen them. They are either both a yellow or both a red. It’s just consistency I’m looking for.

“I said to Murray: ‘You can’t give him opportunities to make a decision.'

“I’m annoyed we’ve had three sending offs so far this season. But you’ve got to have consistency.

“He (the referee) said Murray’s one was high, I still don’t see it, they’re both late.

“I’m not saying they are bad tackles, they are both going for the ball, but if you send one off then you have to send the other one off.”

Referee Anderson took his time over the sending off, consulting his fourth official and assistant.

Davidson thought there should have been more discussion before the Cabraja decision.

He explained: “I said ‘why did you not talk about his tackle?’ It’s dead simple. Just talk about it.

“I’m gutted for the players. We didn’t play on the ball as well as we could but as a unit we were very good and defended well. It’s a tough game against Hibs, they’ve spent a lot of money.”

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