Derek McInnes 'bored' with referee talk as he focuses on cup glory

ST JOHNSTONE manager Derek McInnes says everyone involved in tonight's Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-final against Celtic will be guilty of making a mistake and says he is bored by what is starting to feel like a constant focus on the performances of referees - especially in games involving tonight's opponents.

Following another weekend of refereeing controversy, there are fears within the Scottish Football Association that several top officials will follow assistant referee Steven Craven, who, after being caught up in a furore over a decision to rescind a Celtic penalty at Dundee United last week, resigned on Monday. Yesterday, the SFA confirmed that Old Firm referee Willie Collum received threatening phone calls at his home following Sunday's Glasgow derby at Parkhead.

McInnes, whose side take on a still-smarting Celtic at McDiarmid Park, says officials should be left to get on with their jobs. "We need to be very careful because it's getting ridiculous," he said.

"I can totally understand Craven's reasons for being disillusioned. He is only doing a job and he was vilified for it. But the thing our officials have about them is an honesty. There is nothing underlying.

"The media have to look at themselves in this too. I know they have to respond to quotes and things but I'm bored with it. I know if a mistake happens people will talk about it after the match but we are talking about referees five or six days ahead of the game. It is boring and unnecessary.

"There will not be a player on the park in this cup tie who won't make a mistake. Managers and coaches will makes mistakes, everyone involved will make mistakes. We pay too much lip service to it all."

Celtic lost their first SPL game of the season against their bitter rivals which has led to questions being asked about the strength of Neil Lennon's squad. However, McInnes is not expecting "anything other than a good Celtic team" to visit Perth.

The former Rangers midfielder said: "Celtic don't often lose two on the bounce so Neil will surely get a response from his players. They came up against a strong Rangers side in the second half but there wasn't much in it in the first half.

"Goals change games and when Rangers went ahead it was difficult for Celtic to get back. But they have shown under Neil that they have added spirit to go with their talent. So I don't expect anything other than a good Celtic team.

"Although we are in the same league and in the same half of the league as them, this will be seen as a shock if we win.

"We need a lot of players to put in big performances and if we do that then we can win. We are desperate to do well in the cup, it is important to us for several reasons including financially.

"I didn't want to play either of the Old Firm but we play Celtic and we are at home so hopefully that can help us."

McInnes will name an unchanged squad for the match.Graham Gartland and Kevin Moon (both knee) and Jody Morris (rib) are all out.

Goalkeeper Peter Enckelman will be on the bench again, although he is still restricted with a thigh injury.