Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin came to the defence of Celtic loanee Liam Scales after his sending-off against Hibernian today, instead aiming his post-match ire at Ryan Porteous.
The Dons were 1-0 up on the home side before Scales was judged to have fouled Porteous in the box, after a tangle, and received a second yellow card. Martin Boyle fired home the subsequent penalty, with Hibs going on to win 3-1 in the second half.
It wasn’t a great moment for Scales, who has largely impressed on his season-long loan from the Bhoys. However, Goodwin thought the actions of Porteous were responsible for the drama and took aim at him in his post-match interview.
The Aberdeen boss said [BBC Scotland]: “At 11 versus 11 it was a very even game, quite a decent and entertaining game, two teams playing football the right way going at each other in an attacking manner.
“The talking point is right on half-time, the penalty decision. You are always worried who is marking Ryan Porteous because you know what he is like, he’s won so many free-kicks and penalties for his conning of the referee, he goes over very easy.
“People will say that’s sour grapes on my part, but I don’t care because today that’s cost my team at least a point, if not three.”
As quoted by The Edinburgh Evening News, Goodwin continued: “I don’t know what Liam Scales can do when Ryan Porteous grabs him in a headlock and drags him to the ground. And I don’t know how many times the boy Porteous can get away with that kind of stuff because we are telling our players midweek to be careful with him in the box, be careful with him at set plays, try not to touch him because he will go over.”
It’s not the first time that Goodwin has publicly slated Porteous. Last year, he stated that the Easter Road defender had a habit of winning soft decisions. [Daily Record]
Ultimately, it’s a good thing for Scales that his manager is taking a kind view on the double yellow card from his perspective, it should ensure he is back in the Aberdeen defence sooner rather than later.
However, the Celtic man may well feel frustrated he bought into Porteous’ antics, especially if he was forewarned by Goodwin in the pre-match preparations.
In other news, Ange Postecoglou delivers early verdict on Sead Haksabanovic; impressing in Celtic training.
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