Motherwell star Liam Kelly blasts "pure arrogance" of Craig Napier as ref in firing line for Aberdeen display

Motherwell captain Liam Kelly has taken an astonising pop at referee Craig Napier after branding him "arrogant" and criticising the way he handles himself during games.

The whistler was at the centre of controversy on Saturday when he sent off Jack Vale for a challenge on Jack Mackenzie, just moments before Stefan Gartenmann bagged the only goal of the game in the 1-0 defeat to Aberdeen. That in itself was controversial as Napier and his officials awarded Aberdeen a corner when a goal kick should have been given in the build-up to the goal.

With the big calls going against Motherwell, Kelly has been left fuming and didn't miss Napier in his post-match interview.

In comments which could land the Scotland international in hot water, Kelly said: "I didn’t enjoy the way he was speaking to people today. I don’t care about his position but more as a guy.

“Just be sound, don’t be so arrogant. Some of the stuff he was saying was so arrogant. I don’t care if he makes mistakes because we all make mistakes – referees, players, coaches and fans.

“We all make mistakes but you should never come away from being a decent person.

"The way he spoke to some people was pure arrogance and I didn’t like it.

“The best refs in the league you can speak to just like a normal person. They might have got it right or wrong but they are sound with you.”

Kelly was also frustrated that Napier refused to provide any kind of explanation for his decision to show Vale red for catching Mackenzie.

He added: "He [Napier] has verbally told us to get away. I asked him politely if I could speak to him so he could explain his decision.

“I completely disagreed with his decision on the red card. He never took one second to even think about it. To get control and to