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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Robbie Hanratty

Aberdeen's lucky escape: Ref expert says Milne should have seen red for Hearts tackle

Aberdeen were lucky to end their Scottish Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian with 11 players. 

That's according to refereeing expert Dermot Gallagher, who believes Aberdeen defender Jack Milne should've been sent off for a rash challenge on Hearts' Beni Baningime during second half stoppage time. 

With the scoreline deadlocked at 1-1, both teams were searching for an elusive winner when the flashpoint occurred. 

Kevin Clancy, who was the man in the middle, halted play to allow for a VAR check for a potential red card and then they even checked for a penalty from a previous phase of play. 

However, his technology-boosted assistants opted against sending Clancy to the monitor for a further look at either incident and the match continued as Milne walked away unpunished. 

(Image: Sky Sports) Speaking on Sky Sports' Ref Watch, Gallagher said: "I think he was [fortunate not to be sent off]. This is not a nice tackle. I think he's caught him with his studs right across the ankle. 

"The clue for me is the ball. If you play that [clip] again and I'll show you why I think it's a red card.

"What's really interesting about this tackle, and it raises a massive, massive debate, is the player didn't get sanctioned. So, he escapes scot free. 

"If the VAR had sent the referee to the screen, him retaining all options, he could've come back, he could've still held his ground and said 'not a red card', although I think it is, but he could've yellow carded him.

"The player got nothing because of how the protocol is set up."

(Image: Sky Sports)


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Meanwhile, Aberdeen are still awaiting an update on Dimitar Mitov's condition after their number one goalkeeper had to be replaced by deputy Ross Doohan at half-time last time out. 

There is also an injury sweat over the condition of both James McGarry and Jack MacKenzie, which could leave Thelin with defensive selection conundrum.

MacKenzie missed the Tynecastle showdown completely, and allowed McGarry to make his first Aberdeen league start since May 15.

But the New Zealand internationalist hobbled off after 59 minutes, potentially paving the way for Milne to fill in at full-back when reigning champions Celtic visit Pittodrie on Wednesday night.

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