KELLE Roos has described the penalty award that allowed Rangers to score an injury-time equaliser against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday as harsh and questioned why referees allow players to block their opponents in the area at corners.
But the Dutch goalkeeper has admitted that he and his team mates have to be good enough to grind out results in games even if decisions don’t go their way and targeted a Conference League win over HJK Helsinki in Finland on Thursday night.
Roos was immense for Barry Robson’s men in the cinch Premiership match against Philippe Clement’s charges at the weekend and only conceded when the visitors’ skipper James Tavernier converted from 12 yards at the death.
The 31-year-old felt for Stefan Gartenmann, who match official Nick Walsh ruled had pulled the shirt of Connor Goldson after being urged to watch a replay on his pitchside monitor by his VAR colleague Andrew Dallas, afterwards.
However, the former Derby County, Rotherham, Wimbledon, Bristol Rovers, Port Vale and Plymouth Argyle man knows that Aberdeen, who remain in ninth spot in the top flight table just three points behind bottom-placed Livingston, have to start getting results.
Asked about the penalty award, he said: "I don't want to go into it too deep. It is a frustrating one, you probably have to look at it a lot. Another question I have is if this is a foul, why are you still allowed to block people with no intent on getting the ball.
"It happens at every corner, every team does it. People use blockers, to stand still and get in the way of other people, yet that is fine. It is just very blurry which is probably why it takes so long for VAR and the referee. I think it is a very tough position.
"Also on a screen it is very hard to see what impact something has. Is it little? Or a reason to go down? I think it is difficult for them as well, but it was a harsh one for us.
"Stefan is good. He is a brilliant pro. It shouldn’t take away how outstanding he was. They all had a tough time against him and he probably didn't deserve this. He is obviously not happy with it, that's football. But this is where he has the experience to know what he has to do.”
Roos added: "The HJK match is something that my focus is on. We need to step away from starting to talk about ifs and buts and we could have and should have. We need to get what we deserve in games. That is what happens if you perform at the top in sport. You need to be able to take what you deserve from games."
Roos was impressed with the display of Ester Sokler – the Slovenian striker who set up Bojan Miovski for Aberdeen’s goal after making his first start for the Pittodrie club.
"I can't credit him enough,” he said. “I know from in the past that not always playing is so hard. In his position, he always gets on the pitch. But he has really kept tunnel vision and made himself ready for whenever he is needed. We called him up for a very big game and it was incredible to see that energy. He played with cleverness.
"I would have loved to see him get a reward with a goal because he deserved nothing less. It was an outstanding performance from him. I think he can be very proud of himself for being so patient and being ready for that chance.
"It is an incredible strength to have as a player. Not everything always goes your way. He has had to bite his tongue a couple of times and this is a way of showing that if you are ready this is what you put out. He probably deserved a goal, but they will come."
