The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Dundee pay penalty as referee costs them dear
It was disappointing Dundee could not build on their win over Hamilton as they suffered defeat at home to Kilmarnock on Saturday. The Dark Blues took an early lead at Dens but were penned back when Andy Boyle deflected a Jordan Jones shot into his own net.
The same Killie player was then deemed to have been fouled in the Dundee box, with referee Steven McLean awarding a penalty.
Eamonn Brophy took it and scored to secure all three points for the Ayrshire side although home boss Neil McCann and his players were understandably furious Jones had dived to win the spot-kick.
He has now accepted a two-match ban from the SFA but the fact he is suspended will be scant consolation for Dundee.
The penalty decision by McLean changes the game and this time I have the utmost sympathy for McCann.
A manager can quite easily lose his job on the back of a bad decision.
I think the SFA have to be harder on the players who are guilty of simulation – or plainly speaking, diving.
The referees, though, are being conned too easily and surely they should be full-time to try to improve them?
The very same referee sent me off at Dens and gave a penalty that cost us the game when we were playing Partick in 2011. My red card was rescinded so it is not as if it is a one-off.
It was incredibly disappointing to see Dundee punished again against Killie. At the moment, they are simply not getting the breaks.
No disrespect but that referee could have put the final nail in Neil’s coffin, so to speak.
The last thing you want as a manager is getting sacked because of a refereeing mistake – and of course a player being naughty as well.
I think something needs done, for instance, can the fourth official have more input there?
We all make mistakes and referees only get a split second but decisions change games and they have to be aware.
McLean’s decision has cost Dundee massively against Killie but they just have to wipe it down and get on with the next game.
They have a bit of breathing space just now with the international break but then they have another tough run of fixtures against Livingston, Hearts and Celtic this month.
Livi are flying but I think Dundee should just go there and try to play with the shackles off.
Griffiths row overshadows build-up
Scotland play Israel tonight in their Nations League tie in Haifa looking for a win to take control of their group.
I have to say it seems strange talking about a competitive game involving the national side in Israel.
To me, it is a funny competition, but no matter it is going to go towards rankings so hopefully Scotland can get a result.
Alex McLeish’s side will be looking to build on that previous win over Albania after receiving a harsh footballing lesson in the friendly with Belgium.
The build-up to the Israel game has been overshadowed to a certain extent by Leigh Griffiths’ decision to withdraw from the squad as he feels he needs to focus on his fitness over the international break.
No player would like to pull out unless they had a legitimate reason and I think the main thing is Leigh is not starting week in, week out at Celtic.
He seems to get these niggling wee injuries so maybe he is trying to get a mini pre-season under his belt over the break.
At the end of the day, there is nothing better than playing for your country but it is difficult if you are not fully fit.
If you are not in the right frame of mind and you are going away, worrying about your club, are you better at home working on your fitness?
Certainly Celtic will benefit but hopefully looking at the bigger picture so will Scotland over the course of the season and Leigh comes back sharper and fitter.
Gap must not widen for Neilson
Robbie Neilson became the latest manager to enter through the Tannadice revolving door on Tuesday but only time will tell if he is the right man for the job.
He has to work with the squad he has inherited up to January but is there money available to bring players in then?
As I said, time will tell but United should get a new manager bounce and their game at Partick on Saturday will be of the utmost interest to see how the squad respond.
They are already eight points behind Ayr and they do not want that gap widening any further.
All credit to the Honest Men, though. They have come up, beaten Dundee in the cup and have been consistent so far in the league.