WERE OFFICIALS CORRECT TO GIVE GERS THAT SPOT KICK?

Mar 4 2005

Exclusive NO SAYS HEARTS' LEE MILLER

By Keith Jackson

LEE MILLER is convinced Hearts would not have been awarded a penalty if the incident had happened at the other end of Tynecastle.

Miller was left stunned on Wednesday when linesman Andy Davis instructed referee Hugh Dallas to point to the spot after Ibrox defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos went down inside the Hearts box.

Fernando Ricksen scored from the penalty to secure a 2-1 win for Rangers and spark fury among Miller's team-mates.

Yesterday the youngster dismissed SFA's claims that video evidence proves he used an arm to send the Greek sprawling.

And he insisted Dallas's match report, which should drop on the SFA's doormat at Hampden this morning, will help discredit Davis's version of events.

When told of McVicar's slow motion verdict yesterday, Miller said: 'As far as I've been told the linesman said at the time that I was using two hands to pull him down. Apparently, that's what's in the referee's report.

'So that blows that argument out of the water.

'It was the kind of challenge you see going unpunished in every game. Nine times out of 10 you would get away with it.

'I just stood my ground while he jumped. There was nothing else to it.

'Hugh Dallas saw it for himself and made his own decision. He gave us a bye-kick.

'I felt sick when the linesman flagged for a foul because we had done so well to get back to 1-1. We were competing and deserved to take at least a draw.'

Miller has not yet watched a replay of the incident which has spawned yet another batch of conspiracy theories.

He's not sure if he made contact with Kyrgiakos or not.

But he is certain that Hearts would not have benefited from such a soft award.

Miller said:'Was there contact? To tell you the truth I can't really remember and I haven't watched it onTV since.

'I've only seen pictures in the paper but everyone I've spoken to says it was never penalty.

'All I remember is standing my ground but I'm convinced I didn't do anything wrong.

'The rest of the Rangers players didn't even appeal for the penalty. They just turned around and got back into position. Not even their bench appealed.

'They knew these kind of things happen all the time. I'm sure if it had happened at the other end it wouldn't have been given. It's just so frustrating.'

Miller cut his teeth as a kid at Falkirk before moving to Bristol City last season.

He only returned across the border in January when Hearts snapped him up on a loan deal which manager John Robertson plans to make permanent.

Wednesday night was his first game against either half of the Old Firm and it's likely to stick in his mind for the rest of his days.

He said: 'I don't know if this is just the way it goes when you play against the Old Firm because this was the first time I've ever played against either of them.

'Obviously you hear about things happening against the smaller teams but I couldn't really comment.

'All I know is that it's so frustrating to lose a goal in that manner and I wouldn't like to experience it again.

'But it's in the past now so I won't have sleepless nights over it. I'm just looking forward to Saturday and the chance to pick up three points.'

Taken from the Daily Record