Aberdeen midfielder Jonny Hayes is so convinced of his innocence he offered to pay the £1,000 fee for his appeal against his dismissal against Celtic.
Hayes was sent off for a foul on Celtic defender Mikael Lustig on Saturday but Dons manager Derek McInnes has revealed the Irishman is so determined to clear his name he made the gesture to the club following Saturday’s 2-1 win against Celtic.
McInnes dismissed Hayes’ offer, insisting the club would cover the cost of appealing the red card, which carries a two-match ban, meaning the player is available to face Hamilton Accies tonight.
McInnes said: “Jonny came to me afterwards and offered to pay the money for it himself. That’s how sure he is he shouldn’t have been sent off. But the club was always going to appeal it anyway.
“We are supporting Jonny because we feel it was an injustice and, of course, I told him the club is paying. I don’t even think it’s a foul, he’s won the ball.
“If you take the speed element out of it then every other aspect of it doesn’t come into play under the rules. There was restraint, he went to ground early, won the ball and his foot was flat.
“I hope commonsense can prevail.”
Hayes’ hearing will be on Thursday.