MURRAY DAVIDSON has opened up on his red card frustrations that saw him sent off during St Johnstone's league opener against Hibs.

The McDiarmid Park midfielder was ordered off by referee Euan Anderson following a mistimed challenge on Ryan Porteous.

Anderson then flashed a yellow card just minutes later to Hibs defender Marijan Cabraja, who lunged into a very similar challenge on Saints' Ryan McGowan.

A lack of consistency was the main frustration for Davidson, but he has revealed that whistler Anderson's explanation of his tackle was wrong.

He explained: “At the time I thought it was slightly harsh. After seeing it again I can see why the referee has sent me off.

“There were a few other tackles in the game that I felt, if mine was a red card, then they should be red cards as well.

“The referee explained why he sent me off after the game and nothing could be done.

“I was more disappointed and frustrated because it was the first game of the season and to make things worse, we lost the last-minute goal. You move on and hopefully it doesn’t happen again.

“The referee said to a few people that he thought I went over the ball, which I didn’t. It was mistimed.

“Referees have tough jobs I totally get that. As soon as I saw the tackle back I can see why he sent me off."

He continued: “My only issue was that there was another tackle in the game that was very similar and I feel that he was endangering the opponent more than my tackle.

“If he had sent the both of us off I wouldn’t have had any argument after. If one is a red, they are both reds. If one is a yellow, they are both yellow.

“I certainly didn’t go in over the top of the ball, I didn’t go in to hurt anyone. It was a difficult few days because it is not a nice feeling.

“If VAR is there certainly both tackles that we are talking about are the same punishment.”