Morten and Yak explain ‘illegal’ goal

Rovers midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen has spoken for the first time about the ‘illegal’ goal.

The goal (Rovers second in the 3-3 draw at Wigan) was subject of mass debate and TV replays showed that the corner routine in the build up to the goal meant the goal should have been chalked off.

Yakubu put the ball down in the corner and flailed his foot around as he faked to roll the ball with his foot, Morten then ran over to take the corner and dribbled the ball out before crossing for Junior to nod home.

But Morten has explained there was no malice involved it was merely a misunderstanding as the Norwegian thought Yak had touched the ball.

Peds told the Sun – ‘I thought Yakubu had touched the ball, so I took it with me into the field.

‘I was looking into the box when Yakubu pretended to kick the ball and I only saw him doing that in the corner of my eye. I thought that he had touched it.

‘Now I know Yakubu never touched it, but since neither the referee or the assistant referee did anything I thought everything was fine until after the game.

‘If I had seen that he was never near the ball I would have just sent it in like I always do.’

Striker Yakubu added – ‘I don’t think I touched it, but that’s football. We rode our luck but we deserved our luck.’