Paul McGinn believes referee Bobby Madden may have been adversely affected by his decision not to award Dundee a penalty in their 1-1 draw with St Johnstone.
With just six minutes on the clock at Dens Park on Saturday, Saints player Gary McDonald was short with a headed backpass.
Dark Blues striker David Clarkson pounced on the loose before chipping it up and over advancing goalkeeper Alan Mannus.
Mannus appeared to bring the former Motherwell man down but instead of awarding a penalty and sending Mannus packing, Madden reached into his pocket for a yellow card to book Clarkson for simulation.
Dundee defender McGinn felt that was hard on his side in general and his team-mate in particular. He also suggested that maybe it had a negative impact on the official, whose overall performance could politely be described as erratic.
“I think the general consensus is that we should have had that one and it could have maybe changed the whole complexion of the game,” said McGinn.
“Mind you, I didn’t make all the right decisions out there so I’m not going to slag the ref off. I think Clarkie is an honest guy, though, so I wouldn’t see him diving. Maybe that (booking him) was a bit harsh. Maybe the ref thought he had made a meal of it and it was a quick reaction to go to his pocket.”
Asked if Madden was perhaps unnerved by the incident, McGinn added: “It happened so early in the game and I can imagine that probably happened.
“Once we conceded a goal it unnerved us and maybe if you make a decision and you are not sure you have done the right thing it is only natural that it can unnerve you.
“I still think we should have won it in the first half so I am not going to blame him.”
Maybe so, but there were plenty of people in dark blue seeking an explanation from Madden.
McGinn was asked if the players sought answers from the official, replying: “Yeah, there were quite a few of them around him, asking him why we didn’t get it.
“They were saying (to Madden) that: ‘He was going to score and he would much rather score than go down’.”