ST MIRREN boss Oran Kearney has said he felt ‘very aggrieved’ after opponents Rangers were awarded four penalties in their 4-0 Premiership win at Ibrox.
The hosts scored from three of the spot kicks awarded by referee Andrew Dallas before adding a fourth goal from play.
James Tavernier took the first three penalties, missing the second, while Jermain Defoe converted the fourth before Ryan Kent made it 4-0.
Meanwhile Kearney’s Ibrox counterpart Steven Gerrard felt his side could have been awarded a fifth spot kick.
‘Tough day’
St Mirren didn’t have a shot on target at Ibrox however Co. Antrim native Kearney was upset over three of the penalties awarded.
“At the time we felt very aggrieved at the decisions that were made,” he told the club’s YouTube channel.
“Having watched them back there’s one penalty today and there’s three that aren’t penalties and that’s the disappointing aspect of it.”
He added: “The guys have responded really well [to conceding an early penalty] and showed a huge amount of character but I think it’s tough in any walk of life if you keep getting obstacles thrown at you like we had today.
“To come here and give away one penalty, you’ll struggle to get a result; for four to be handed against us today just makes it an extremely tough day.”
Kearney had no issues with the first penalty, likewise his opposite number Gerrard.
'Some you get…'
However the Ibrox boss felt his side could have been awarded five spot kicks.
“We feel as if the officials have missed a clear one on Alfredo [Morelos], so there could’ve been five penalties, which is very strange, but some you get, some you don't,” Gerrard told Rangers TV.
Asked about the decisions, he said: “First one, stonewall – 100 per cent penalty.
“The second one is debatable, I’m not sure how much contact there was but what I will say is none of our players appealed or tried to get a penalty.
“Jermain’s bounced right back up to get on with the game and we were awarded the penalty, so we’ll take it."
Gerrard said while the handball for the third began outside the box, the infringement continued inside the area.
He added: “Number four right on the 18-yard box was debatable as well, but two are definite for me, two are debatable.”
Today’s win moves Rangers within three points of Celtic, who play their game in hand at St Johnstone tomorrow.
Meanwhile St Mirren have the chance to close the gap at the bottom on Wednesday when they host Motherwell, one of only three teams they have beat in the league this season.
