BOSS APPEALS DISMISSAL BUT KUATE IS OFF
DUNDEE UNITED boss Ray McKinnon last night confirmed he will appeal Simon Murray’s controversial red card so his star striker is free to face Hamilton in Sunday’s second leg of the Premiership Play-off. He was left fuming as Murray was shown a second yellow card for simulation by referee Steven MacLean — despite appearing to be fouled in the box by Scott McMann in the goalless draw at Tannadice. McKinnon also insisted midfielder Wato Kuate will never play for United again after becoming embroiled in a bust-up during the game with team-mate Mark Durnan — before storming straight up the tunnel when he was substituted. ‘It would be an injustice if Simon Murray can’t play on Sunday, so we will be appealing,’ said McKinnon. ‘The appeal will be going in on Friday morning. ‘Simon’s a massive part of our team and we thought it was a stonewall penalty but instead he was booked for simulation. ‘I’m very disappointed with the decision but I’m sure Steven MacLean will realise he’s made a mistake when he sees it and he will rescind it.’ As for Kuate, he said: ‘Was that his last game for United? Absolutely. ‘Mark Durnan was telling Wato to buck up his ideas and, with Wato being a bit of a hot-head, he did not take kindly to it. ‘To show that disrespect will not be tolerated.’ Accies boss Martin Canning claimed not to have seen the incident that led to Murray’s dismissal after the striker was correctly booked for diving in the first half. He said: ‘It was at the other side of the pitch, so I didn’t see if there was any contact or not. ‘I’ve heard people say it should have been a penalty but, if so, it’s a nice change for a decision to go for us. ‘But we’re not favourites because we have home advantage on Sunday. ‘We will have Darian MacKinnon suspended and Massimo Donati and Dougie Imrie are both carrying knocks. ‘We will patch them up the best we can. It’s been a long, hard season and the squad is thin. ‘But the bottom line is Sunday is a shoot-out and we want to win.’