Killie boss hits out at referee over red card
Furious Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke hit out at referee Willie Collum for sending-off midfielder Gary Dicker. The official sent Dicker packing after a tackle on Hearts’ Callumn Morrison that he deemed to be reckless. Clarke is certain his player will have the red card rescinded on appeal and blamed Collum for costing his side at least a point from yesterday’s game against Hearts. The sides were drawing 0-0 when Dicker was given an early bath in the 67th minute. Clarke said: “I didn’t think it was a red card at the time. “I’ve seen it back and still don’t think it was a red card. “I’m sure Gary will get off on appeal and that will help us next week. It doesn’t help us this week. “I think the most disappointing thing is that such an experienced official couldn’t wait to get the card out of his pocket before he thought about it and assessed the situation. “In the replay, I saw Gary Dicker winning the ball twice. It was clear. “We’ll appeal and he’ll win it. I don’t speak to referees. It’s just not worth it. “It’s a decision that has cost us one point. Maybe it’s cost us three, but certainly one. “It was a game that was going to finish 0-0. It was probably brutal to watch.” Clarke was realistic in his assessment of how his players had performed. He reckons both sides were hardworking and will be challenging in the top six as the season progresses. However, he couldn’t get away from the subject of Willie Collum. He went on: “The goal came out of nothing. It was a strange goal. The big man got a flick on it from quite a distance and it found the bottom corner. “It wasn’t Ikpeazu that won the game, it was the referee unfortunately.” The Rugby Park manager hopes he might be able to do some transfer business this week. He said: “We just have to lick our wounds and look to get back on track next weekend at Aberdeen. “I have lots of things that might happen with players, lots of things that might not happen. “I’m trying hard to bring in one or two to help with the good squad we already have.”