Steve Clarke claims referees have decided 60 per cent of Kilmarnock's games this season

By Lyall Thomas

Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke has again hit out at referees, claiming they have decided 60 per cent of their games this term.

Just over a month ahead of his SFA hearing for criticising the governing body's disciplinary process, Clarke insists he remains calm and is not on a "crusade" against officiating.

His initial criticism surrounded the sending off of midfielder Gary Dicker against Hearts at the end of last month, blasting both the referee's decision and the SFA's rejection of Killie's appeal.

"I've seen the headlines and seen that I was 'fuming' after the game and all the rest of it - but that's not true," Clarke said ahead of this weekend's clash with Celtic.

"I was quite calm and controlled after the game. I spoke about two soft penalties. One was given to Hibs, one wasn't given to us. That decided the game.

Advertisement

"We deserved to get something. But that decision or those two decisions cost us at least a point. So that's disappointing.

"One of the most disappointing things for me is of the five league games we have played, three of them have been decided by referees. That's not correct. That's 60 per cent - that's too many. One in our favour, two against us. That's not correct.

Also See:

"I am not here on a crusade. If everyone works together - from the top to the bottom - we have a chance to change but I am not sure we are all working together at the moment, and that could be the problem."

Play Super 6

Jeff gave away £1.5m last month. Enter your predictions to be the next winner here.

Outbrain