Miller baffled by penalty decision that cost Dee dear

Dundee’s Kenny Miller has admitted he cannot understand how referee Steven McLean managed to make the wrong call at the penalty which cost his side dear against Kilmarnock.

The striker was 60 yards away when the opposition’s Jordan Jones went down in the home box with the former Scotland star convinced his team-mate Cammy Kerr had made no contact.

The official had a much closer view but still awarded a penalty which Eamonn Brophy scored to secure all three points for Steve Clarke’s side.

Miller insisted it was a decision McLean simply could not afford to get wrong in a game with so much at stake for bottom-of-the-table Dundee.

The 38-year-old said: “You have to watch what you say but you have to be sure with decisions like this when you are giving them.

“The player himself has pretty much admitted it is very, very soft. Seeing it again, it is a dive, simple as that. Sometimes you get them and sometimes you don’t but it is not good enough really.”

“It is a big decision that has cost us the result. You can understand when players and coaches get frustrated because there is a lot on the line,” added Miller.

“When these things go against you, it is not about evening itself out over the course of the season – that’s rubbish. You need to get them right and if you are not sure, you can’t give it.

“I was 60 yards away, to be honest and after watching it again, it is exactly what I thought happened.

“He has gone down soft. Cammy looks like he is maybe going to tackle but I can see he pulls his leg away.

“I can see that from 60 yards away. He (McLean) is 10 yards away. I don’t think you can get that wrong.”

Miller’s manager Neil McCann struggled to keep his emotions in check over a decision he branded a “joke”.

He said: “I’m furious. I’m absolutely livid.

“We are told to watch our conduct at the side of the pitch, and it’s a very emotional game we are involved in, management.

“We are told about our comments, how we conduct ourselves against the fourth (official), against the assistant, and the referee.

“Referees, I am told, have to be certain it’s a penalty. You can’t make that decision if you’re not certain. And I’ve just watched it and there’s no contact. It’s a joke of a decision and it’s a pivotal moment in the match.

“But the decision is a disgrace and it’s really hard right now to control my emotions.”

Killie boss Steve Clarke focused on his side’s second penalty, saying: “Sometimes when you have that little argument, that little discussion, it just puts that extra 5% pressure on the kicker.

“Whether it contributed to Greg missing or not, or whether he’s not a very good penaltytaker, I don’t know. But the third goal would certainly have made it an easier run-in for us.”