Mackay bears no grudge as Boerrigter accepts ban

Derk Boerrigter accepted a two-match ban for diving. Picture: SNS

The Dutch player was cited by the Scottish Football Association’s compliance officer after falling to the ground under a challenge by Mackay which led to the St Johnstone defender’s dismissal. Celtic scored the resultant penalty on the way to a 3-0 win.

The Parkhead club’s decision not to contest the punishment should result in Mackay’s own one-game suspension for being red carded overturned at a hearing at Hampden tomorrow, leaving him free to face Aberdeen this weekend.

“I don’t know the guy, I have nothing against him,” said Mackay with reference to Boerrigter. “I have no bad feelings towards him whatsoever.

“What’s happened has happened. You just have to get on with it. It happens in many games in which people don’t get picked out.

“Over the years, I am sure team-mates of mine have maybe gone down when they have maybe not been touched. Unfortunately, it happens in football and I have nothing against the guy.” I played at the weekend [in the defeat by Hamilton Accies] and the manager probably wished I was banned! We have a tough game in Aberdeen and I just hope I am available for selection for that.

“But I won’t take it for granted. You never know. I will just wait and see what the panel come up with when they have gone through the process. I am hopeful, but there is nothing guaranteed.”

Mackay, who was at the University of Stirling yesterday to help make the draw for the first round of the Scottish Cup in his role as cup-winning captain, expressed his relief that the Scottish Football Association has a procedure by which video evidence can be reviewed.

“Scotland is about the only country that goes back retrospectively, so fair play to them for being bold enough to do that,” he said.