Caley Thistle boss John Robertson has questioned referee Steven McLean’s decision to award a penalty to Hearts in their opening Betfred Cup clash at Tynecastle.
The decisive goal came after Cameron Harper was adjudged to have handled the ball.
Robertson – who thinks McLean’s ruling jars with guidance given to clubs – said: “It’s unfortunate because I thought Steven McLean handled the game really well. For the rest of the game there were no real big decisions to make.
“It’s easy to see that he has guessed it. We have sat with Crawford Allan and he has gone through all the various new rules. We were told that if your arms are inside the body line it’s not a penalty, and Cameron Harper’s arms are clearly within the body line.
“He has not put his arm or elbow out, so unfortunately it looks like he has guessed on this one, which is disappointing. We have seen some controversial penalties, but that’s controversial for the wrong reasons.
“If his arms are out we would accept it, but we have told all our lads to defend with their arms in. Cameron is a young lad who has done that.”
Despite the defeat Robertson was pleased with his side’s showing against a more experienced Hearts outfit, who will compete for promotion from the Championship with the Caley Jags in the new league campaign.
Robertson said: “For such a young squad, I thought we matched Hearts for large periods of the game. Craig Gordon had to make an unbelievable save in the first half, as did Mark Ridgers.
“I think Hearts edged it in chances, but we had three glorious chances to equalise in the last 10 minutes. I thought on the night we might just have nicked a result, but I can’t praise my young lads enough.
“We had four teenagers playing and a central midfielder playing at centre-back.
“If we can get all the lads back fit and working as hard as that, hopefully we can do well.
“Hearts are huge favourites for the league, with people saying they are going to win every game. We’ve got to show them that’s not going to be the case.
“Ourselves and the rest of the league have a duty to make it as hard as possible. I thought our boys did that.”