Aberdeen interim boss Peter Leven reveals he ‘went crazy’ at half-time in 3-2 loss to Dundee

Down to 10 men following a straight red to Liam Morrison in the 39th minute the Dons were trailing 2-1 at the break.

Leven read the Reds the riot act at half-time in a bid to end an alarming slump in form that has left hopes of a Premiership top-six finish in tatters.

Still without a permanent manager since axing Jimmy Thelin on January 4 Aberdeen have won only once in the last eight Premiership games.

The Reds are languishing eighth in the table having taken three points from the last possible 24.

Aberdeen were booed off at full-time and half-time by frustrated supporters.

Leven was left furious at referee Steven McLean chalking off a goal by Kevin Nisbet in the first-half that would have made it 2-0 Aberdeen.

‘I went crazy at them at half-time’

He intends to seek an explanation from the whistler regarding that disallowed goal.

Leven was also frustrated Morrison received a straight red for the prevention of a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

McLean initially only awarded a penalty, converted by Simon Murray, but subsequently sent off on loan Queens Park Rangers defender Morrison following a VAR review.

Leven said: “I went crazy at them at half-time for some of their decision making.

“But after that they never gave up and I thought we would be the only team that would go on to get the winning goal.

“But again (for the winner) it was decision making.

“It was a great strike but we need to do better as that should have been minimum a point for us, which is frustrating.”

Aberdeen went ahead when Nisbet’s eight yard shot was fumbled by Dundee keeper Jon McCracken in the 13th minute.

Frustration at disallowed Nisbet goal

Toyosi Olusanya fired the loose ball in but the initial parried shot from Nisbet had already crossed the line.

The Dons were reduced to 10 men when Morrison failed to deal with a long ball and bundled over Tony Yogane, resulting in a red card and penalty after a VAR review.

Simon Murray converted the spot-kick.

In first half stoppage time Joel Cotterill bundled in Dundee’s second after Aberdeen keeper Per Kristian Bratveit’s error.

A superb free-kick from Nisbet in the 68th minute made it all square but Ethan Hamilton fired in a stunning late 25-yard strike to dump the Dons.

It was Dundee’s first win at Pittodrie since 2004.

Leven was frustrated Nisbet’s goal to make it 2-0 was disallowed.

A free-kick from Lyall Cameron found Nisbet in the box and the striker fired home a 12 yard shot – but whistler McLean chalked it off.

Leven said: “It was a crazy game and we started really well but need to punish when we are on top by getting that second and third goal.

“We actually scored and I watched it back.

“I saw Steven (McLean) put his whistle to his mouth, drop it then watch the play.

“Kevin finishes then he blows it again.

“I don’t know why he never blew straight away to stop it and Lyall said he never said wait for the whistle.

“It looked like he put the whistle to his mouth and then watched the game which is very frustrating.

“It is something I will need to speak to him about.

“However, after that we kind of lost our way a little bit.

“We started giving away corners, free-kicks and stopped playing like we did early on in the first half.”

Leven on Liam Morrison red card

Aberdeen were in control of the game until the dismissal of Morrison in the first half.

It is the fourth red card in five games for Leven’s side.

He said: “The red card is criminal from us and that is a few games now.

“We need to do better with the long ball and match the run.

“But we have been punished twice with the red card and the penalty.

“I don’t know what Liam is supposed to do he has cut across him.

“I don’t think he has done anything wrong as he (Yogane) is probably looking for the contact which he has done.

“We stopped playing football, they equalise and then there’s the red card.

“We have to take it on the chin and pick ourselves up for Tuesday (away to Dundee United).”

[Source: Press and Journal]