Dons boss says Jack deserved his red card
Derek McInnes believes former Aberdeen skipper Ryan Jack deserved to be sent off as his first Pittodrie appearance in a Rangers shirt ended in controversy.
Last updated 4th Dec 2017
Dons boss McInnes - who could finally receive an approach to become Pedro Caixinha's Ibrox replacement within the next few days - says referee Willie Collum called it right when he dismissed the Gers midfielder for leaving Stevie May in a heap.
Jack tried to play a pass as the Reds striker closed in, but his follow through saw him plant his studs into May's shin.
The incident during the Light Blues' 2-1 win has sparked an impassioned debate amongst fans and pundits, with some believing Jack was merely trying to clear his lines, while others accuse him of a dangerous lunge.
McInnes came down on the side of the latter as he said of the injury which forced May off: It was a nasty one - it was a poor challenge.
"Stevie has tried to play on, but the fluid in the joint has impinged on his movement and he had to come off.
"It's a real blow because he's the type of player we feel can always carry a threat for us and I felt he was having a good game.
"So, although we got the advantage of Rangers going down to 10 men, we lost one of our major goal threats.
"At the time I thought it was a red card, but I've not seen it again.
"The challenge where Stevie was marked high on the shin was high and based on my first impression I can see why the referee has given a red card.''
What is not in doubt is the serious progress Gers have made in the past week under caretaker boss Graeme Murty.
A side that looked feeble as it lost to both Hamilton and Dundee bossed Aberdeen over two clashes in the space of five days, with the Light Blues winning both to move back above the Pittodrie men into second place.
Murty is now likely to step back down to his Under-20s duties as Ibrox chairman Dave King steps up his bid to lure McInnes.
But the former Reading defender will look back on his second stint as interim boss with satisfaction.
"I will be sad stepping down,'' he said. It will be hard looking at the team because it won't be mine, so to speak.
"But I will be proud of what I've done, when I look back on it.
"The hard bit for me will be making sure I give this level of detail and this level of focus to the young players I'm going back to work with.
"To do anything other than that would be a disservice to them. I will try to live up to the standards myself and the staff have set during this short period.''