STEFAN McCluskey has admitted he was wrong to doubt Jim Duffy’s decision to sub him off against St Mirren — but still can’t wrap his head around referee John Beaton’s call to book him for diving.

The forward was replaced with Alex Samuel in the 75th minute of Friday’s night’s 1-1 derby draw at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

McCluskey left the field visibly upset to be withdrawn, but later stated he was wrong to be that way and that his boss was proven right after replacement Samuel came on and grabbed the equaliser.

However, he was still adamant whistler Beaton got it all wrong when he booked him for simulation following a challenge by Saints goalkeeper Jamie Langfield in the 17th minute.

The 25-year-old told the Tele: “I saw the keeper running out and touched the ball by him, and he has made contact with his arm onto my foot.

“The ref has run from behind me, so I don’t know if he had a good view. I thought it was penalty, because the keeper’s nowhere near the ball.

“I had people — my pals — tweeting me saying it was a penalty. I think it was a penalty — and there’s contact, so it’s definitely not a dive.

“If that happens in the midfield and I knock it by the boy and he makes similar contact, it’s a free-kick.

“It’s frustrating because they are saying you are diving and I wouldn’t like to be classed as that. I’m not a diver.”

The incident involving McCluskey was not Ton’s only spot-kick shout during the game: Ross Forbes was also clipped as he burst into the box in the first half.

Beaton put the whistle to his lips as if to blow but allowed play to go on after the midfielder stumbled and stayed on his feet, and McCluskey was astonished a penalty was not awarded.

He added: “I can’t believe Forbesy’s wasn’t a penalty. The ref was saying he was trying to play advantage, but in that circumstance [you would prefer the penalty].

“I said to the ref: ‘I’ve gone down and you’ve not given me it. He’s stayed on his feet and you’ve not gave it. What do you need to do to get a penalty?’

“I mean, at least one of the two of them had to be a definite penalty. I think the ref should have given it.”

On being replaced, McCluskey explained: “I thought because we were down 1-0, the manager was, in my opinion, going to take off a defender or midfielder and try and go for it.

“When you see your number and your team’s on top, you’re not wanting to come off. I still shook the manager’s hand and didn’t take the huff but asked: ‘Why are you taking me off when we’re on top?’

“But I’ve got to respect his decision – and it turned out the right decision because Alex [Samuel] came on and scored!

“The manager is always right. It doesn’t matter. A player is nothing to a team. It’s about the whole squad.”