Clarkson (left) was sent off after clashing with Caddis

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee says David Clarkson should not have been sent off in the 2-0 loss to Celtic.

The striker was given a straight red card after appearing to make contact with the face of Celtic's Paul Caddis.

McGhee said: "Clarkson is not a player that's ever going to deliberately elbow another player in the face. He's not that type of lad and he's not stupid.

"He put his arm out to try hold off the defender and he's been unfortunate enough to catch the lad in the face."

Clarkson was actually fouled by Caddis in the run up to the sending off and McGhee was disappointed referee Dougie McDonald chose to brandish a red card.

It wasn't intentional but the referee could put it down as dangerous play Celtic manager Gordon Strachan

"As a centre forward, you do try and hold people off and I think that's what he did," added McGhee.

"I don't think it's a sending off."

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan expressed sympathy for Clarkson but understood why the player was dismissed.

"It was a fair smack," said Strachan.

"It wasn't intentional, but the referee could put it down as dangerous play."

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