KILMARNOCK manager Steve Clarke has hit out at referee Steven McLean after he sent off three of his players in the defeat to Aberdeen, describing his performance the worst he has ever seen in his 37-year football career, and he has called for the official to never be allowed to take charge of a Kilmarnock game again.
Clarke feels that McLean has been unfair to his side historically, displaying an unconscious bias against them because his father, Stuart, used to play for the club.
McLean senior is in the Rugby Park Hall of Fame, with the right-back playing over 500 games for the club, and Clarke is certain that the pressure of his family connection to Kilmarnock is influencing referee McLean's decision-making against them.
Clarke marched on to the pitch to confront McLean after he had sent off Kirk Broadfoot, Stuart Findlay and Rory McKenzie during the stormy 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Dons, accusing him of losing control of the match when a 'good' official would not have.
"I congratulated him and told him it was the worst refereeing performance in my career - and I’ve had a long career," said Clarke. "He lost control of a professional football match.
"I mentioned Steven after the Hearts game and he didn’t control that game properly either. The job is to control the game but he lost control of it. I feel a bit sorry for him.
"People say historically going back he’s never been kind to Kilmarnock. His father played so many game here - if you’re a referee and you feel that pressure it can affect your performance.
"I’ve mentioned it a couple of times privately but publicly now I think it would be better for him and Kilmarnock if he doesn’t referee any games for us. There are loads of refs who can come here. Through the club I’ve made this request before. I try not to speak John (Fleming) too much - he’s got enough on his plate without me phoning him.
"How could it work? I don’t know. There’s a big family connection. Stuart was a top right-back – not as good as me – and I remember watching him. He played a lot of games for the club and I feel that’s a big enough connection – and it would be better for Steven.
"He’s made some decisions for us but by and large since I’ve been here I’ve not been particularly sure about his performance.
"Take it out the equation, he doesn’t have to worry about that as well as get the decisions right. A good referee could handle difficult games."
McLean was eventually given an escort to his car by stewards as angry supporters tried to confront him as he left the stadium.
Meanwhile, Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie may have played his last game for the club after picking up an ankle injury during the match.
The Dons skipper hobbled through to the end of the game after picking up the knock with no substitutes left to manager Derek McInnes, but the Pittodrie boss revealed after the game that the injury may see his season brought to an abrupt end.
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