Match referee Steven McLean urged Dundee United to right his wrong and appeal Simon Murray’s red card in Thursday night’s Premiership play-off final against Hamilton Accies.
On the advice of his assistant Graham Chambers, McLean — regarded as one of the country’s top refs — sent the Tangerines striker packing for a second booking for diving when he went down in the box in the 77th minute of the goalless first leg.
Within seconds, TV replays showed the correct decision should have been a penalty to United for a foul from Accies defender Scott McMann. After the match the club immediately indicated they would be lodging an appeal with the SFA so the 25-year-old could play in Sunday’s second leg.
And the Tele understands that although McLean did not speak publicly about the incident, on seeing the TV footage for himself he did indicate to them he’d made a mistake and would back their bid to clear Murray.
Ironically, it appears a timing blunder by the SFA means the 18-goal attacker will be able to play whatever the outcome of the appeal that was lodged first thing this morning.
The next date for a hearing needed to examine the evidence is not until next week and that means any suspension would be put on hold until after Sunday’s crucial second leg.
That news was some consolation to United gaffer Ray McKinnon. He refused to blast the match officials for what was an honest mistake but was frustrated at how it changed the game.
“These things happen in football and you have to take them on the chin,” he said.
“For us we were denied a scoring opportunity via the penalty we should have had. Simon’s red card also came at a time when we were on top but we had to change things after it and make sure we didn’t concede.”
For Ray the big positive is his side are heading into the second leg still in with a fighting chance of winning promotion.
“I thought it was a game of two halves, with Hamilton the better team in the first.
“We came on strong after the break and that pleased me because the boys have had a lot of games in the past couple of weeks.
“We are heading for Hamilton on Sunday in with a chance of promotion and that’s the aim.”
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