Dicker embarrassed despite the injustice

KILMARNOCK captain Gary Dicker weighed in to the criticism of referee Alan Muir’s performance after their 5-0 Scottish Cup hammering at Rangers — but branded the team’s display ‘embarrassing’. The visitors were left fuming after two minutes of the fifth-round tie when the official waved away penalty appeals when Eamonn Brophy fell in the box after a challenge from Joe Worrall. Killie collapsed after goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann was sent off for an apparent elbow on Ibrox midfielder Glen Kamara after 26 minutes — a decision boss Steve Clarke labelled a ‘joke’. Four goals from Alfredo Morelos and an Andy Halliday strike swept the ten-man visitors aside. While Dicker was annoyed by the official’s performance, he insisted the team should have stood strong. ‘Everyone is sick of talking about referees — make your own mind up,’ said the 32-year-old Irishman. ‘Everyone can see it, we can see it but it’s Rangers away and it’s the first two minutes of the game, so I’ll let you decide if it’s a penalty or not. ‘From where I was standing it was. I’ve got nothing else to say on it, it’s gone. We let ourselves down but it’s big decisions and people go home and it doesn’t affect their life but it has a massive impact on the game. ‘I’m fed up talking about it and I’m sure everyone else is. The more you talk about it the more they like it. We let ourselves and the manager down and the fans that came here. ‘It was embarrassing for us so we look at ourselves first before anyone else.’ Meanwhile, Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack hailed the impact of four-goal Morelos after he returned to cup action with the remaining game of his threematch ban to be served this weekend. ‘Alfredo is brilliant to work with and he was everywhere tonight,’ said Jack. ‘He was closing people down, winning the ball back and great at finishing. ‘He brings a real work ethic to the team and the way he presses it’s easier for us to get up behind him and press with him. ‘He was outstanding and I hope there’s more of that to come from now until the end of the season.’