Kris Boyd took a dive to win Rangers crucial penalty, blasts Dundee United star Kovac

[ian1964 10,826]

DUNDEE UNITED goal hero Mihael Kovacevic accused Kris Boyd of diving to win a crucial penalty for Rangers as Dougie McDonald was caught up in yet another Ibrox refereeing storm.

 

The Light Blues were awarded two first-half spot-kicks in a thrilling Scottish Cup quarter-final which will go to a replay after a 3-3 draw and Tangerines gaffer Peter Houston branded them both soft.

 

And that has left whistler McDonald at the centre of yet more controversy just two weeks after he was criticised by the Celtic camp for red carding Hoops captain Scott Brown.

 

This time the man in the middle awarded Walter Smith's men two penalties with Kris Boyd blasting them both home as the Scottish Cup holders came back from United substitute Andis Shala's early opener.

 

Nacho Novo then looked to have booked a place in the semi-final with an early second-half goal but United staged a stunning comeback and Morgaro Gomis' deflected effort and Kovacevic's late goal forced a replay on Wednesday week.

 

United were still seething afterwards, however, at the penalty awards for Dusan Pernis' challenge on Kenny Miller which earned him a booking and Sean Dillon's apparent push on Boyd.

 

Kovacevic pointed the finger at Rangers' No. 9 and said: "He fell a bit easily and I'm disappointed in Kris Boyd. Maybe if I was a striker I'd do the same but I'm a defender and don't like people doing that.

 

"Sean doesn't think it was a penalty either and he was very angry afterwards. I am sure the first one wasn't a penalty because the ball changed direction. I spoke to Dusan and he told me the same and I think the second one was soft.

 

"I wasn't thinking about the keeper getting sent off because our first reaction was to go to the ref and he was under pressure. He wasn't really sure about it so we thought he might take it back.

 

"I don't think it's easy for the referees either in a big stadium with a big crowd. We are a bit unlucky with the referees but maybe it's not only us.

 

"I didn't think about the fact he was the referee in the Old Firm game, I only remembered when someone told me after the match but we're a bit sad about those two penalties."

 

Houston added: "I was disappointed to lose what I thought were two soft penalties. I might be wrong but I thought Dusan got his foot to the ball.

 

"And the second one there could have been a foul on Danny Swanson as we were attacking. He felt his heels were clipped."

 

This is all getting a bit boring and it's time the SFA stepped in and start punishing this non stop onslaught of referees by players and managers.I could be wrong but I thought the managers had agreed at the beginning of the season not to slate the refs???, I'm not saying I agree with this but if it was agreed with all the managers then it's time to start fining them IMO.

[Frankie 8,832]

As usual the hypocrisy is tedious...

 

Regarding the penalty incidents, the first one looked a stone-waller to me and I'm still not convinced the keeper touched the ball despite the various replays. No idea why the 'keeper wasn't sent off though...

 

The second one was rather soft but if you impede a player in the box then the chances are the officials will give a foul. As such, when Dillon barged Boyd, he was always going to go to ground. I'm sure Gus MacPherson was happy with the decision.

 

I was more concerned about Miller's disallowed offside 'goal' which looked absolutely fine to me.

 

No matter, if it gives the tin-foil tims more to get excited about, then we can keep laughing which is fine by me.

[maineflyer 0]

No surprise to see this particular team jumping on the celtic bandwagon. Still, I suppose we should be grateful for the added incentive to put them in their place in the replay.

[Bluedell 5,886]

The first penalty was a clearly goalscoring opportunity and the keeper should have walked. No evidence that the keper got the ball, and even if he did, he got the man first. Stonewaller.

 

Boyd was clearly pushed at the second penalty. It doesn't matter whetehr he went to the ground weasily or not. even if he hadn't gone to ground, it was still a penalty.

 

McGregor was fouled before the third goal and it should have been a free-kick to us and not a corner.

 

I'd agree that Miller's goal looked OK, but have not seen it on th TV yet.

[Frankie 8,832]

Miller was onside

 

[ian1964 10,826]

The first penalty was a clearly goalscoring opportunity and the keeper should have walked. No evidence that the keper got the ball, and even if he did, he got the man first. Stonewaller.

 

Boyd was clearly pushed at the second penalty. It doesn't matter whetehr he went to the ground weasily or not. even if he hadn't gone to ground, it was still a penalty.

 

McGregor was fouled before the third goal and it should have been a free-kick to us and not a corner.

 

I'd agree that Miller's goal looked OK, but have not seen it on th TV yet.

 

I was shouting for the DUTD player to get sent off for that push on McGregor at the time it happened,ok maybe I was wrong for that shout,but I certainly though he should have been booked and a free kick given to us

[Frankie 8,832]

Maybe Miller is too fast for the linesmen in this country to keep up...?

[Gers4Life 0]

Frankie, going back to the penalty incident with miller,im very surprised the keeper stayed on the park!

[Frankie 8,832]

I'm not surprised at all. The officials have no consistency in such decisions and the ref would have thought a penalty was enough punishment...

[Guest Inside Left]

Miller was onside

 

 

Anyone got photographic evidence of the second United goal?

 

I was convinced there were several players offside as soon as the cross was hit, long before it reached Steven Whittaker.

 

I may be wrong, but they didn't show any replays or make mention of it, surprise surprise.