Andy Halliday insists HE would have certainly been sent off for making the same challenge Ryan Edwards made on him. But he hopes the Dundee United skipper WINS his appeal.
The Tangerines were winning 1-0 at Tynecastle and playing well when Edwards flew into a tackle with the Hearts midfielder. He won the ball, but caught Halliday high on the leg with his studs on the follow through. Ref Nick Walsh initially took no action despite the [protests of Halliday - who showed the official the stud marks on his shin - and his teammates.
But the VAR was in the whistler's ear urging him to take a look at the challenge on the pitchside monitor. He did so, and decided that Edwards deserved to go after another viewing, so sent him for an early bath. Robbie Neilson’s side took full advantage after the break, levelling through Lawrence Shankland before Alex Cochrane fired them into the lead. Stephen Humphrys then sealed the points in some style, scoring from his own half in stoppage time.
United have appealed the decision and a fastrack hearing will determine whether Edwards’ has the red rescinded, or the decision stands and he serves a suspension. Halliday can’t understand how divisive the decision has been in the aftermath and deosn't believe Edwards needed to go in with such force.
However, he has admitted that he hopes the defender’s appeal is successful. But doesn’t think it will be.
He told Clyde Super Scoreboard: "There has been a lot of division in terms of the opinions of the challenge. If I made that tackle, you know everybody is saying red card.
“I thought Dundee United were excellent in the first 45 minutes and their initial response was very good. But from our point of view, that's been the real improvement from last year (winning ugly).
"That 10-game run post world-cup run, quite a lot of those victories came with below par performances and that's certainly an improvement from last year."
“I don’t think he had to go in with force. He was favourite to win the ball, he’s driving forward off his foot.
‘What I would see is that I hope they win the appeal. I don’t think they will, but I don’t want to see anyone suspended.”
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