Dundee United manager Csaba László has defender his captain Willo Flood for his push on Livingston’s Shaun Byrne during United’s 3-2 loss in their Scottish Championship play-off first leg.
Dundee were leading 2-1 before Joshua Mullin and Scott Pittman scored twice in three minutes to give Livingston a vital away win.
Flood exploded after he was fouled by Byrne minutes before full-time and he proceeded to shove a television camera on his way towards the dressing room.
László defended the former Republic of Ireland underage international and said that his dismissal stemmed from frustration.
“It is very painful because Willo is a very good captain and also in the game he showed attitude,” Laszlo said.
“I will have to watch the video again. In the first half, I thought Livingston should have had a red card for a foul on Sam Stanton from the side. He couldn’t even jump up and it could have been very serious injury.
“It was a small push from Willo but I protect him. He was frustrated but players are humans.
“He didn’t hurt anybody. It was just frustration.”
Flood will now miss the return leg at Almondvale Stadium as Dundee look to get back to the Scottish Premiership after they were relegated from Scotland’s top tier at the end of the 2015/2016 season.
