YOGI: REF HAS GOT IT IN FOR US

FALKIRK boss John Hughes last night accused referee Stuart Dougal of lacking respect for his club after the Bairns crashed 5-0 to Hearts at Tynecastle.

Dougal red-carded midfielder Stephen O'Donnell for two bookable offences after just 23 minutes and showed another five of Hughes' players yellow cards.

The Falkirk manager clearly believes the official has a problem with his club because Hughes revealed he had two people in the stand analysing Dougal's display.

The Bairns boss turned to the stand and shouted: "What chance do we have?" after defender Kenny Milne picked up the fourth booking and was still upset at the end.

He said:"I turned to two guys we had in the stand analysing Stuart Dougal's performance. I asked them before the game to

watch his performance. What does that say about him? I don't think he's got any respect for Falkirk Football Club.

"The first one was a booking but I don't think the second one was. A good referee might just have calmed it down and taken the sting out of the game.

"The lad is very upset.Football is all about getting stuck in and being competitive. If Johnny Giles, Dave Mackay and Billy Bremner were out there today, there would have been nobody left on the park, the way Stuart went about his business.

"It's always a tough place to come, even with 11 men. At 1-0 down we were in the game and getting at them but that changed the game.

"I'm still disappointed with losing five goals and with the sloppy way we conceded them. If we don't start getting a bit about ourselves these things will happen to us."

Hearts were delighted with their display - the best under Graham Rix. And teenage striker Calum Elliot, who grabbed a double - his first goals for the club - reckoned it wasn't before time.

The 18-year-old said: "It's been too long for me not to score and it was good to eventually do it.

"Obviously it was in the back of mind but I knew if I kept working hard and getting into positions to score I would eventually take a chance.

"I can't speak highly enough of themanager.He'skeptplayingme and it wastime I repaid his faith"It was good to get the league form back and hopefully I've done enough to stay in against Celtic.It's not just anyothergame but if we want to win the league wehavetogetsomethingoutof it."

Coach Rix said: "I'm really delighted and happy for the guys. From start to finish we were excellent. We played good football at a great tempo, scored goals and kept a clean sheet.

"We spoke in midweek about what we are good and what we need to do to get back that confidence and self belief.We had a chance after70seconds and that set usup for the rest of the game.

"I'm delighted for Calum to get the goals.He's worked really hard.

"I had no doubts about playing him. His attitude and work-rate are excellent - and his ability of course. Those two goals will have done him the world of good. They've certainly done me the world of good.

"It was important to win today but to get a performance and to see the confidence coming back was great.

"I told the guys before the game that we owed the supporters a performance. I think they gave them one. I think the guys have gone home very happy tonight."

Rix refused to speak in depth about Portuguese trialist Bruno Aguiar, who will arrive for a few days next week.

He said: "He's one of several targets but a lot of things can go wrong when you try to bring players in. We have to make sure he's the right sort of guy

Taken from the Daily Record