Millwall boss gives his verdict on Posh claims that Danny McNamara deserved red card

Millwall manager Gary Rowett has responded to Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson’s claim that Danny McNamara should have been sent off in Saturday’s Championship match.

The Posh were 2-1 winners at the Weston Homes Stadium.

And Ferguson described McNamara’s tackle on Dan Butler as “horrendous’.

“It was a red card – absolute blatant red card,” added Ferguson at the weekend. “The tackle was horrendous.”

But Lions boss Rowett defended McNamara.

He told the South London Press: “I’ve looked at it again and the left-back takes a really poor touch which then puts him in a 50-50 tackle scenario.

“Danny is genuinely going to tackle him. He clearly just catches him off the back of the tackle. He doesn’t jump in over the top or miss the ball completely and try to do the lad.

“It’s a genuine attempt to challenge the player. I know Butler was upset afterwards because he felt he had been intentionally hurt by Danny. It’s impossible to say there is any malice or intent. Danny went in strongly and the lad just got to the ball before him.

“Danny certainly got a little bit of the ball in it but he’s also caught the player.

“I heard it described as a horror tackle. I don’t know if I could describe it as a horror tackle. I haven’t slowed it down and studied it but it looked like a 50-50 that their lad came out on the other side of.

“I understand if Danny has caught him they may feel that is a bit reckless but it didn’t look like it when I saw it. The referee didn’t even give a foul, so I think he had a similar opinion.”