St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright is adamant that David Wotherspoon does not deserve to be “dragged into” the Juanma red card controversy.
The Hearts striker was sent off on Saturday for aiming a head-butt at the Saints midfielder, but there were claims from the visitors’ camp that it was retaliation to a Wotherspoon kick.
Wright is having none of it.
“I don’t expect to hear anything from the compliance officer because there’s nothing to look at,” the Perth boss insisted.
“The referee saw it and didn’t even book David because he’s done nothing wrong.
“I don’t know why he’s been dragged into it.
“David was thrown to the ground and as he was getting back to his feet the boy put the head on him.
“Having watched the video back, my view is the same as it was during the game.
“That’s what happened and it was a red card.”
The Northern Irishman added: “It has been mentioned that he reacted to David but when you’re thrown to the ground and quite aggressively there’s only one place for your legs to go.
“David is bringing his legs back down, that’s all he can do, so it’s not a deliberate movement towards Juanma, he’s been knocked off balance and is trying to get back to his feet.
“After it, David does the right thing because he got himself away from the situation.
“I don’t think you can argue with it, Callum Paterson’s reaction to his own team-mate said it all.
“He’d already taken a kick at Steven Anderson, so it’s maybe just in his make-up.
“What I know is that David hasn’t done anything wrong.”