Stuart Kettlewell reveals Mika Biereth frustration at Charles Dunne tackle as Motherwell boss rejects St Mirren star's defence

Stuart Kettlewell has rejected Charles Dunne’s defence of the tackle that’s left star striker Mika Biereth sidelined for three months with a torn knee ligament.

The Motherwell boss insists the St Mirren defender’s challenge in last week’s 1-0 Viaplay Cup defeat was out of control and dangerous and should have been a straight red card. Former Well star Dunne sent a message of apology to on-loan Arsenal frontman Biereth this week but defended his challenge on social media claiming he won the ball and the impact was worsened by a slip. But Kettlewell, who now faces a striker crisis with Jon Obika also ruled out until December with a hamstring injury, is having none of it.

The Fir Park boss admits he made the same type of tackle numerous times as a player and always felt the consequences from officials - adding that rules changes have clamped down even harder on offenders. He said: “Mika’s not one who gets too upset or starts shouting and bawling. But he’s very frustrated at the tackle and very frustrated at the injury.

“He knew at the time it was a pretty bad tackle and the injury makes it difficult to swallow especially when he was starting to integrate with his team mates.

“I believe Charles Dunne has reached out to him. Charles is a guy who has been here who I always find really respectful.

“He knows all our guys here and had a good time here. He had a real bad injury here that our physio helped him with.

“Listen, I understand these things happen in football. I was a guy that made tackles such as that plenty of times and you received a punishment for it. Sometimes you have to hold your hands up, you mistimed it, you were out of control and have endangered an opponent.

“You have to take the punishment that comes with it.