RALPH Hasenhuttl admitted his criticism of Alex McCarthy after last weekend's draw against Brighton "was not right", adding how if that situation occurred again "I would do it different".

Hasenhuttl slammed his goalkeeper after Saints chucked away two points to draw with the Seagulls, who equalised in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time.

The Saints boss explained how McCarthy was struggling with a hamstring injury, which has subsequently ruled him out of action for the next three to four weeks, which he felt prevented the goalkeeper from contributing as he would have liked in the closing stages of the 1-1 draw.

Speaking straight after the game at St Mary's, boss Hasenhuttl said: "Alex must be here definitely more professional and this is what I missed today in such a game.

"I had one change (left) and we couldn’t take it because he didn’t say anything.

"This is for me not acceptable."

Asked what communication he has had with McCarthy during this week since the incident, Hasenhuttl said: “I was not perfect to do it (speak) after the game, immediately. I had not every information I should have, at that moment it's always the issue, after the game when you don't see everybody.

"I hadn’t spoken with everybody. I would do it different, when I know more now about what happened on the pitch.

"But now is not the time to speak about it anymore. It's gone.

"We have concentration full on the next game.

"We took a few good things from the last game to settle us and refocus us for the new challenge we are facing.

"Definitely everybody is in good shape at the moment and it’s a pity Alex is out now.

"I think also against Brighton he did a very good job and kept us in the game two or three times in a fantastic way.

"What happened at the end was not right from my side.”