MAD LOSERS

FURIOUS Hearts last night blamed referee Iain Brines for the second-half collapse that sent Celtic seven points clear in the title race. Tynecastle boss Graham Rix made an official complaint to the SPLabout Brines' decision to red card Greek defender Takis Fyssas during an explosive top-of-the table clash in Edinburgh.

Celtic came back from two goals down to clinch a dramatic 3-2 win in injury time but the astonishing climax was marred as stewards and police had to move in as Hearts fans tried to attack the Hoops dugout.

Rix and his players were incensed by Brines' decision to give Fyssas his marching orders for a foul on Shaun Maloney 15 minutes from time.

Keeper Craig Gordon protested furiously at the end, moments before Rix had his say with an SPL observer.

Later the manager said: "I think it was a big decision for him to make. We were 2-1 ahead at the time but we looked comfortable. I can't remember Craig Gordon having that much to do.

"Fair play to Celtic because they played some good stuff in the second half but it's very hard for us to take.

"I've seen a slow motion replay of the incident and I'm not even sure there was any contact.

"I'm also not sure that Maloney was going through to score in any case. In fact, I think the ball was going out for a bye-kick.

"The referee has difficult decisions to make but there was a similar situation involving Bobo Balde in the first-half which was in an even more central position and he only got a yellow card."

When pressed for his thoughts on Brines' performance, Rix said: "I've spoken to the SPL delegate. Let's leave it at that. I don't get paid enough to talk myself into a fine.

"But, yes, I thought it was a harsh sending-off."

Keeper Gordon raced from his goal to round on Brines after the final whistle.

He said: "I can't think of any time when I've felt more disappointed after a game than I do just now.

"Of course there is a sense of injustice when something like that happens. It's very hard to take.

"You tell me what the difference was between that incident and Balde's challenge in the first half yet he only got a yellow card.

"You couldn't print what I said to the referee at the end but that was just my frustrations coming out.

"The sending-off was a key decision.

"Referees have a lot to do but as long as they get the key decisions right then they don't become the talking point"This is obviously a major talking point and maybe I don't need to add my tuppence worth but I think everybody expected it would just be a yellow card.

"I was actually thinking of organising my wall at the time until the ref pulled out a red card. Let's just say that I found it slightly bemusing."

Hearts had stormed into a two- goal lead inside eight minutes as Rix's side threatened to rip Celtic to shreds.

An own goal from Celtic's Ross Wallace was followed up just two minutes later by a thundering header from captain Steven Pressley to send Hearts off to a flying start.

But Celtic hit back through substitute Stephen Pearson just five minutes after he came on for crocked Stilian Petrov.

And after Fyssas was sent packing, Stephen McManus claimed a late double to secure what could become a hugely significant victory for Gordon Strachan's side.

Rix said: "Celtic are seven points clear now and it's a big gap but I'm sure no one in their camp is saying the league is over and we feel the same way.

"We can take a lot from our performance and we have to go on from here and try to peg them back.

"The one disappointment for me was that we didn't start the second- half in the manner in which we played the first."

Scotland keeper Gordon added: "We just didn't hit the same heights in the second-half and ultimately that's what's cost us.

"The easy thing to do is use the ref as a scapegoat but deep down we know we should have done better and seen the game out with 10 men

Taken from the Daily Record