Paul McMullan has scoffed at claims there was something dodgy about the penalty that got Dundee United off and running in the Championship.
McMullan was chopped down in the box by a combination of Inverness players Brad McKay and Joe Chalmers, with the former taking his feet from under him and the latter blocking his path.
The United man picked himself up to score what turned out to be the only goal of the game with 13 minutes on the clock at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium as the league campaign got under way.
To be frank, it looked as rock-solid a spotkick as you will see all season.
However, ICT manager John Robertson was so angered by referee Craig Thomson’s decision to give it that he was sent to the stand as a result of his touchline antics.
Robertson wouldn’t let it go after the final whistle, either, claiming that: “I asked the linesman if he was sure because he (McMullan) went down very, very easily and our players are adamant there was no contact.
“He went for it, dinked it and went down. He played for it and he got it.”
The ICT gaffer added: “I said we all know what (he) is like – he goes down very easily.”
That was an undeserved slur on a player who had clearly been fouled but the United man, to his credit, just stuck to the facts that were backed up by video and photographic evidence.
“It was a stonewall penalty,” said McMullan.
“The boy dived in.
“I flicked it over him and he took my standing leg so I don’t understand why he (Robertson) was getting so animated.
“I don’t think there was any doubt at all.
“There were actually two players on me and I think it could have been given against either one of them.”
As Robertson was taking his seat in the stand, McMullan picked himself up to score his fourth goal in five games for Ray McKinnon’s men.
He has played the last two – against Dundee and ICT – as a makeshift striker but with Scott McDonald free from suspension and available for the Dens derby rerun on Wednesday in the last 16 of the Betfred Cup, the likelihood is that McMullan will revert to his wide role.
Nevertheless, he still hopes to keep scoring.
“It has been a really good start to the season, both for the team and for myself,” said the former Celtic player.
“Hopefully, I can keep that going into the derby in midweek.
“I may have to move back eventually but I also scored a couple of goals from out wide in the Betfred Cup so I am keen to keep scoring wherever I play.
“We have a front four, really, and each one of us has a licence to go and play freely and inter-change when required.
“The manager has told me just to put a smiley face on and go out there and enjoy myself and I’ve been doing just that.
“It is really refreshing for me to have someone put his faith in me and tell me to go and enjoy my football, create chance and score goals.”
McMullan made special mention of the 1,200-strong United support that travelled north on Saturday.
“The support was brilliant and for so many to come up to Inverness gave us a real boost,” he added.
“At times we had to dig in during the second half and it was nice to hear the fans singing. That helped keep us going.
“I think we all want to push for promotion this season – there is no doubt about that.
“Each player in that dressing room wants the same thing.
“So to start with a win in the first league game is ideal.
“I don’t think Inverness had too many chances but they had a lot of the ball and made it difficult for us. We had to grind out the result.
“Now we have another tough game against Dundee in midweek but we will be ready.”
