Three of our five games have been decided by REFEREES

SAYS STEVE CLARKE

KILMARNOCK boss Steve Clarke has stressed he is not on a crusade against the SFA but insists referees are having too big an effect on his team’s results. Clarke and the club have already been charged by the governing body following his sweeping criticism of officials and the disciplinary committee, after they did not overturn Gary Dicker’s red card against Hearts. But he waded into controversy again ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Celtic as he recalled Hibs receiving a ‘soft’ penalty in last weekend’s 3-2 win over Killie, with his side denied a similar claim in the same match. ‘I’ve seen the headlines and seen that I was fuming after the game, but that’s not true,’ said Clarke, whose SFA hearing is scheduled for October 25. ‘I was quite calm and controlled. I spoke about two soft penalties. One was given to Hibs, one wasn’t given to us. That decided the game. We deserved to get something from the game. But that decision — or those two decisions — cost us at least a point, so that’s disappointing.’ Clarke, whose team benefited from a contentious decision earlier this month when Aberdeen centre-back Mikey Devlin was sent off against them, added: ‘One of the most disappointing things for me is that of the five league games we have played, three of them have been decided by referees. That’s not correct. ‘That’s 60 per cent, that’s too many. One in our favour, two against us. ‘I am not here on a crusade. If everyone works together, we have a chance to change but I’m not sure we’re all working together at the moment, and that could be the problem.’ Dicker returns from suspension for the Celtic match but Clarke faces another challenge this weekend, with his team plagued by injuries in defence. With Stuart Findlay, Greg Taylor and Scott Boyd all doubts for the visit of the champions, Clarke offered a novel solution. ‘Scott’s got a virus, Greg’s still suffering with a knock from last week so defensively I’ve got one or two problems,’ he said. ‘I’ve got my boots ready — now that would be a strange look.’ The fixture will see the return to Rugby Park of Youssouf Mulumbu, who left Killie for Celtic on transfer deadline day this summer. ‘Before the game he’ll get a good reception — he deserves it,’ said Clarke. ‘He came here and there was no agenda — he put himself in the shop window and he’s managed to get himself a good move to Celtic. After Sunday we wish him well.’ Currently riding a three-match unbeaten run against Celtic in the league, Killie could move as high as fourth if they take all three points.