Stuart Kettlewell has been left unhappy with the ‘arrogance’ shown by referee John Beaton following Ross County’s 1-0 defeat to Livingston.
The Staggies manager was sent off at full time following a heated exchange of words at the final whistle with the match referee. It came after a Jon Guthrie header split the side’s in West Lothian, County’s Carl Tremarco receiving his marching orders for two bookings.
Kettlewell’s team remain in the top six despite the defeat to Gary Holt’s side. Whilst not wanting to complain about the sending off, Ross County’s manager is adamant there was a foul on Ross Stewart as Livi took the lead.
He’s explained why he was unhappy with it and referee Beaton, claiming he was spoken to like a ‘second class citizen’ at full time by the match official.
“It was a horrible game of football,” said Kettlewell. “From my point of view we knew it would be scrappy and ugly and I felt one moment would win it and that’s what happened. I said to the players we needed to get into the game more.
“We defended well and we were physical but the bit that annoyed me was we could play better, especially until Carl got sent off. We spoke about being more expansive and pass it better but we didn’t do that.
“I can’t complain about the sending off but I can about the goal. Our second corner Guthrie and Stewart are involved and there is a foul given for a carbon copy of the situation. He then doesn’t give a foul for their goal which frustrates me.
“You speak about levels of consistency and how you address or speak to someone. I have got myself involved with the referee at the end there but I am not having someone speak to me with such arrogance. He sent me off because I lost my cool but I approach people in the right manner and when someone treats you like a second class citizen then I won’t be having that.
“Obviously, the tension’s are high, the passion’s high, I want my team to win, I want my team to come here and get something out of the game. But when I go and ask the referee about the scenario and he tells you, ‘away you go, you’re clutching at straws’ then that becomes a wee bit of an annoyance to me.