Stuart McCall defends Michael Higdon over gesture

MOTHERWELL manager Stuart McCall has played down an alleged gesture made by striker Michael Higdon during their SPL game against Dundee United.

Reports have suggested the player could face a ban for apparently aiming a gesture at his own fans after netting the equaliser in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Tannadice, having been the subject of criticism from the crowd earlier in the game. However, McCall claims the “half-hearted” act was not aimed at the Motherwell support and that there was no malice in the incident.

He said: “It was highlighted in the TV programme and a couple of media guys have mentioned it. But there is no way in a million years it’s comparable to what’s gone on beforehand. I know totally 100 per cent that it wasn’t aimed at any supporters.

“If you actually watch it, it’s a half-hearted gesture, it’s not with any malice, there’s no swearing coming out of his mouth, he’s not angry with anyone. I think it was a non-entity and it’s not even worth talking about if I’m being honest.”

Hibernian’s Leigh Griffiths has been banned twice already this season for making gestures during games against Rangers and Cowdenbeath. Higdon could also face a two-match ban if the SFA’s compliance officer chooses to act on the television footage by issuing the player with a notice of complaint.

Asked if he believes too many incidents are now being looked at since the introduction of the SFA’s new disciplinary procedures, McCall said: “I think so, I think you’ve got to look at it and say that, because you could spend another ten seconds on the build-up to the goal, the link play, the movement, rather than showing a half-hearted gesture. It’s more about looking at digging up dirt if you like, than showing the positive side of it. For me, it was nothing. I’ve seen incidents since I’ve been a kid and you’d look at things and go ‘That’s bad’ or ‘He can’t get away with that’. Higdon’s thing was nothing.”

McCall is hoping to end a lengthy wait for a home victory in the SPL when Dunfermline come calling tonight, having failed to pick up three points at Fir Park since September. He said: “It would be great. This keeps getting thrown up every week that we have a home game – and rightly so. The only way we can end talk of that is by winning a game.”