Terry Butcher offered one-game ban for criticism of referee Salmond

Inverness manager Terry Butcher has been offered a one-match touchline ban following his criticism of referee George Salmond after the recent 1-1 draw with Aberdeen.

Butcher was unhappy with the sending-off of Owain Tudur Jones and felt his side should have been awarded a second penalty in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League game on 15 September. Butcher has been accused of “making comments in a media interview which criticise a decision of the referee in such a way as to indicate incompetence”, according to the Scottish Football Association’s compliance officer, Vincent Lunny.

The former England captain has until next Wednesday to respond to the notice of complaint.

He criticised Salmond’s decision to show Tudur Jones a straight red card for a challenge and felt Mark Reynolds had brought down Aaron Doran in the box, claiming he was being “let down” by inconsistent officials. The Caley Thistle manager said: “I spoke to the referee afterwards and he said Aaron Doran scuffed his shot before falling over. However, he’s the only man in the planet who saw that. In fact a Martian could have seen it all the way from Mars.”

Russell Anderson was also sent off after conceding the penalty that led to Caley Thistle’s goal but the Aberdeen defender won his appeal against the red card following input from Salmond.

Butcher’s side host Dundee United today and Tannadice manager Peter Houston believes their Scottish Communities Cup League win over Queen of the South was the ideal preparation for the game.

United had to fight hard to secure a narrow 1-0 win away to Second Division Queens on Tuesday where they had to survive a late onslaught before booking their place in the last eight. And Houston reckons their tough test in Dumfries means they will be ready for anything Terry Butcher’s men can throw at them when they hit the road to the Highlands for another away fixture.

Houston said: “It was a very tough 90 minutes the other night which we did well to come through. We were pushed all the way and had to show a lot of resilience, which is what you have to do when you go away from home in the cup. Now we’re looking forward to another demanding game against Caley Thistle when we’ll have to display the same kind of commitment.

“I’ve no doubt the lads will dig deep again as they proved on Tuesday because it’s never an easy game against Inverness. Terry Butcher will have them well prepared and motivated as always. We’ll have to be right up for it from the start as we were at Palmerston as it’s a difficult venue at the best of times.”

Houston hailed his Tannadice players for going back to basics and recording a clean sheet in the wake of last weekend’s 3-0 SPL defeat by Hearts. United were under pressure for long spells and Houston was delighted to see his side come out the other side.

He said: “It was a very good defensive performance. It’s always nice to get a clean sheet in any game and that’s what we’ll aim for up in Inverness.”