Livingston boss David Martindale was delighted to see his side pick up a valuable three points over Aberdeen yesterday – but the Livi gaffer was left baffled by referee Kevin Clancy flashing 13 yellow and one red card over the 90 minutes.
Goals from Ayo Obileye and Alan Forrest had Livi 2-0 up before Christian Martinez scored to set up a nervy finale but the host held their nerve to see out the win and move to within a point of sixth in the league.
Despite the referee’s card frenzy, Martindale had little complaint over the red card that saw his side having to see the game out with only ten men after a fairly innocuous-looking incident.
“I’m delighted with the three points,” Martindale said. “I’m still trying to get my head round how there could be 13 yellow cards in that game. It’s incredible. Are you not allowed to tackle anymore?
“I can’t believe we walked off the park with eight of my players booked, maybe nine because Christian is a double yellow. For the life of me, I can’t get my head round it.
“I think with Christian’s second he gave the referee a decision to make. He put his hands on the player and it’s a bit of sportsmanship.
“I think he has been naive, especially after I spoke to the boys at half-time and told them they had to watch out because four of them were on yellow cards.
“Aberdeen do that side of the game very well. I’m not saying it’s cheating; I don’t mean that at all.
“Christian was a little bit naive because you can’t put a hand on an opponent when you’re on a yellow card.”
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