Aberdeen will not appeal Curtis Main or Lewis Ferguson’s weekend red cards.
The Dons management team of Derek McInnes and Tony Docherty were left furious at ref Don Robertson and Hibs midfielder Stevie Mallan for his part in both orderings off in the 1-1 draw at Pittodrie.
Main was sent packing for an off-the-ground lunge and then Ferguson caught Mallan late, after the player had taken him out minutes earlier.
McInnes has reviewed the footage and although he still feels his players were harshly treated he knows it would be difficult to get either overturned on appeal.
Assistant manager Docherty, speaking after Saturday’s 1-1 draw, said: “It was a real dubious decision, I haven’t seen it back but Curtis wins the ball and the reaction of their player encourages the ref to make the call.
“I didn’t think it was a red card but I do think the Hibs player influenced it. It was the same player for the Ferguson one – I didn’t think that was a red card either.”
The Dons pair will now be suspended for Aberdeen’s next match which is away to Motherwell after the international break.
Meanwhile, former Red Graeme Shinnie finally rammed his way into the Derby team and insists he’s there to stay.
The Scotland international made his long, overdue Championship debut in the weekend win over Luton.
The 28-year-old was signed by Frank Lampard at the end of the season but up until Saturday’s impressive display in Derby’s 2-0 win had been left on the fringes under Phillip Cocu.
Shinnie said: “I knew when I got the chance I needed to take it. It was just about going out and doing what I normally do.”
The former Aberdeen and Inverness captain had only made two Carabao Cup appearances since the summer and admitted it has been a struggle.
He said: “It has been tough, I’m not going to lie. Being in the stands and watching down has been hard but I’ve got a good support network around me to keep my head up.”
