‘You don't see it at Rangers or Celtic' – Aberdeen hero slams Dundee Utd pitch invasion which led to MacKenzie incident
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ABERDEEN legend Willie Miller reckons Dundee Utd and other Scottish teams must do more to stop fans invading the pitch.
The Pittodrie hero is at pains to point out that he's NOT excusing the Dons supporter who left Jack MacKenzie blooded and bruised when he threw a chair onto the Tannadice playing surface on the last day of the season.
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Jack MacKenzie was left blooded and bruised
Credit: Andrew Barr
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Dundee Utd fans invade the pitch
Credit: Andrew Barr
But speaking to SPFL chief operating officer Calum Beattie on BBC Radio Scotland Sportsound, Miller said: "Can I suggest something and I don't want Dundee United fans to have a go at me fiercely.
"For me, pitch invasions should be banned, they're not allowed.
"I was there. I'm sitting there and United have done great, they've qualified for Europe.
"But the gates just opened, nobody tried to stop the fans coming on the pitch.
"Now I'm not making any excuse for the person who threw the seat.
"It hit Jack MacKenzie and it could have been much worse. But at the same time nobody tried to stop the whole pitch being covered with Dundee Utd fans.
"Now, the Aberdeen players have every right to go to their fans and have a celebration or some sort of recognition that the fans have made the journey down in their numbers.
"They made their way over to where the Aberdeen players are going to celebrate with their fans.
"There's no condoning it [the seat throwing] but that's what happened.
"For me if you stop that pitch invasion that doesn't happen.
"You don't see it at Pittodrie, you don't see it at Ibrox, you don't see it at Celtic Park. Why are there some clubs that just seem to accept it?
"Other clubs as well seem to be accepting it. I would just like some sort of campaign NOT to accept it."
While admitting "it is difficult", Beattie replied: "For what it's worth I agree with that".
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