DEREK MCINNES was proud of his players’ efforts as Kilmarnock fell to a valiant defeat to Celtic at Hampden, but the Killie manager was angry that his side were denied a penalty late on by referee Willie Collum, and says he doesn't understand why VAR didn't intervene.
The Killie bench, players and supporters were all up in arms as Giorgos Giakoumakis clambered with Joe Wright in the area late on with the score at 1-0, just before the Greek striker hit Celtic’s killer second goal.
And a furious McInnes was perplexed that the VAR official didn't correct referee Collum's on-field decision not to award a spot-kick for the incident.
“Joe Wright’s been man-handled and there’s no way Giakoumakis can get to the ball,” McInnes said.
“But he’s come through him, two arms round him…it’s a penalty kick. The referee’s got a brilliant view, I don’t understand why it’s not a penalty.
“What’s the point in me speaking to the referee? Seriously, what is the point? VAR should be speaking to the referee. That’s the conversation that needs to be had – not me after the event, Celtic are through to a final.
“Pre-VAR, post-VAR, that’s a penalty kick. And how we can’t get to the right decision…
“Giakoumakis just gets a bit excitable. He’s clumsy, it’s a striker’s challenge. He stumbles into the back of Joe Wright, with two arms round his waist. It’s a penalty kick.”
“Whoever’s on the VAR has to be big enough to say to the referee ‘Are you sure you’ve seen this right, you need to come and see this again.’
“You’ve got a really experienced referee there and you need experienced people to ask th experienced referee to have another look at it.
“What does it take? 30 seconds? I think if he sees it again he’ll give a penalty.”
Despite his disappointment, McInnes said his team showed what they were made of in their performance.
“So many of our players were turning up at Hampden for the first time, and you’re never really sure…" he said.
“I said I would learn a lot about my team today, and I’m delighted with the courage and the personality."
