BOSS FACING WRATH OF SFA AFTER LATEST REFEREE ROW
SFA’s disciplinary processes earlier in the season.
Clarke effectively branded the system corrupt by claiming a red card picked up by Gary Dicker against Hearts in August would never be overturned on appeal because Collum had already been pencilled in for the first Old Firm match of the campaign.
He now believes McLean should be ruled out of taking charge of all Killie fixtures as a result of being unable to handle the pressure created by his father Stuart, who played over 500 times for the club and is a member of the Hall of Fame.
McLean had to be escorted to his car by a steward after yesterday’s match as an angry mob waited outside Rugby Park to target him.
Asked about approaching McLean at the final whistle, Clarke stated: ‘I just went over and congratulated him and told him it was the worst refereeing performance I had ever seen in my career. It’s a long career.
‘He lost control of the game in the first half. He actually lost control of a professional football match.
‘When Hearts beat us 2-1, I mentioned the referee and it was Steven that night as well. He didn’t control that game either. The job of the referee is to control the game.
‘I feel a little bit sorry for him. People tell me, historically, he has never been particularly kind to Kilmarnock and I think he feels the pressure from the fact his father played so many games here.
‘If you are a referee and you feel that extra pressure, it can affect your performance.
‘I have mentioned it a couple of times privately through the club to try and get it without saying anything publicly. But I am now going to say that I think it would be better for Steven and Kilmarnock if he doesn’t referee any more games for us. Quite simple.
‘There’s loads of referees around that can cover.
‘I feel that is a big enough connection. By and large, when he’s refereed us, I’ve not been sure about his performance.
‘I don’t know if he is overcompensating (because of his father), but let’s take that out of the equation.’
Clarke also refused to countenance the suggestion that yesterday’s niggly encounter, in which McLean flashed eight yellow cards and three reds, would have been difficult for any official to keep a firm grip on.
‘A good referee could handle it,’ said Clarke. ‘Good referees can handle difficult games.’