Dundee United defender Paul Dixon believes St Mirren’s Nigel Hasselbaink only has himself to blame for being sent off because Scotland’s footballers have been told what will and won’t be tolerated on the park this season.
Dixon was caught in the face by the flailing arm of Hasselbaink as the striker bore down on the Tangerines’ goal, resulting in a red card for the Buddie from referee Crawford Allan.
It reduced the visitors to 10 men just before half-time and was pivotal in United going on to dominate the second half after being second best in the first.
Dixon thinks Hasselbaink should have known better at a time when the country’s professionals have been briefed on what will be deemed unacceptable behaviour.
“We had a meeting with the referees’ chief (John Fleming) and Stuart Lovell from the players union and we went through everything they expect from us and what we are looking for from them,” said Dixon.
“The meeting was helpful because we all know we are singing from the same hymn sheet.”
He added, “I am not glad somebody got red-carded but it is good to see referees have set out to do what they said they were going to do.
“For example, we all know we can’t run up to a referee bawling and shouting at him because we are going to get booked for it.
“I was chasing him back and he must have been worried I was catching him. That is maybe why he swung out.
“He smacked me in the face and by what we were told by the referees that is a red card.”Half-time blastSt Mirren were looking good value for their 12th-minute lead, given to them by ex-Tannadice man Steven Thompson.
The goal had been laid on by Hasselbaink, who hit the byline in front of the Shed before cutting back to the striker, who poked the ball home.
With a half-time blast from boss Peter Houston ringing in their ears, United’s players turned things around in the second period and equalised through a Jon Daly goal on 67 minutes that mirrored Thompson’s earlier effort, with young Scott Allan the provider this time.
The Tangerines then ran Saints ragged but just couldn’t get the second goal.
“Given the amount of chances we had we deserved to score at least more than one, even though they were down to 10 men,” added Dixon.
United gaffer Peter Houston felt his side should have gone on and taken all three points.
“In the first half we didn’t do well enough and I blasted the players at half-time,” he said.
“I was really disappointed with our first-half performance but we were magnificent in the second half.
“We need to ask ourselves why we didn’t start the first half in the same manner.”‘We need’ refereesSt Mirren manager Danny Lennon, meanwhile, refused to criticise referee Allan for Hasselbaink’s dismissal.
“I haven’t seen the incident yet but Nigel is adamant that it wasn’t a red card,” said Lennon.
“I think he was just trying to hold him off as good strikers do.”
He added, “Crawford is a very good and experienced referee.
“It is a very difficult job that referees have with having to make these split-second decisions.
“Where would we be without these referees? We need them.”
Lennon said,”I’m delighted with a point as it is a very difficult venue to play just over 50% of the game with 10 men.
“They put a lot of stress on us in the second half but we defended admirably.”