Hibs boss Nick Montgomery has said that his side would be in the Viaplay Cup final if they played on Sunday instead of Saturday.
He felt aggrieved that the Hibees were not awarded a penalty for a challenge on Dylan Vente from Aberdeen goalkeeper Kelle Roos during Saturday’s Viaplay Cup semi-final.
His frustrations were heightened when Rangers were awarded a penalty in their semi-final the following day for a very similar challenge involving Hearts goalkeeper Zander Clark and Rangers forward Danilo.
Today the Hibs manager vented his frustrations over refereeing decisions:
“You can ask for a reason as to why a decision is made but they’ll always find a way to explain what happened that doesn’t really explain it, it’s just their opinion. It’s a game of opinions, but when you have VAR, I think it should really eliminate mistakes, and it doesn’t.
“I was more disappointed with the penalty incident that the referee didn’t come and look at it on the screen. Because I think if he did, the only decision he could have made was a penalty.
“That didn’t happen – and the next day it did. Maybe we should have played on the Sunday, and we’d be in the final now. Maybe next time we’ll ask to play on the Sunday!”
Martin Boyle also had a goal ruled out for offside before ten-man Aberdeen went on to win the match 1-0 and claim their spot in next month’s final. Montgomery added:
“At that moment of the game we were well on top, we scored a goal. So not only do they take the momentum away, they take the goal away, and it’s almost like giving a goal to the opposition.
“If you take 5-6 minutes to deliberate over something that is not clear and obvious then give it in the way of the defending team it doesn’t make sense.
“I can only go with what I saw with my untrained eye and that was the full-back was playing Martin onside.”
