REF WAS A RINGER

NEILMcCANN last night accused Russian ref Yuri Baskakov of appalling double standards as Hearts crashed out of the Champions League.

Neil McCann

The Scotland winger was raging after team-mate Julien Brellier was sent off against AEK Athens after collecting two yellow cards, the first of which was handed out because he was wearing an earring.

Baskakov turned the greatest competition in club football into a Sunday pub league as the Jambos crashed 3-0 and kept up the unwanted record that shows no Scottish club has enjoyed success in Greece in 50 years of Euro competition.

McCann was also sent off and claimed the fussy whistler gloated as he sent him off for a two-footed lunge, as the nine-man Jambos were dumped 5-1 on aggregate.

McCann said: "It's farcical that Julien was booked for wearing jewellery when one of their players, Julio Cesar, was wearing a ring.

"He was booked late in the game and should have been sent off, too, if the referee was applying the same principles he did with Julien.

"If it's a rule for one, then it should b e a rule for the other, but I didn't even know Julien had been booked that first time until later.

"The referee had a few strange decisions, and I'd like to see footage of the tackle that earned me a red card.

"I lost possession in my own half and their boy took a heavy touch so I saw it as a 50-50 challenge and at worst a yellow card. I can't comment too much on the referee but after I was sent off he was telling me he would make sure I was punished and was going on about the number of games I would be given as a suspension.

"It was over the top, and I thought we did well in the circumstances.

"We were unlucky with a couple of chances in the first half that might have made a wee difference.

"Paul Hartley had a great header after a typical run to the b ack post, the keeper pulled off a great save, and Jamie Mole also had a shot cleared off the line.

"I felt we still had a chance, even with 10 men, because they were on top for most of the first game at Murrayfield but needed two late goals to win. However, after I was sent off, it was just too far for us to reach."

Brellier, a diamond stud sparkling in each lobe, was reluctant to be drawn on the controversy after the game.

He said: "I don't feel good. He didn't come to me before the game to check if I was wearing earrings and then I was booked for wearing one."

But Hartley, who had started his first game since the Scottish Cup Final three months ago, was much more forthright.

He said: "It was a joke that we had two men sent off, especially Julien for wearing an earring, when one of their players was wearing a ring. I thought the referee was shocking tonight - it's as bad a performance as I've seen.

"Everything went their way while we were given nothing at all.

"I didn't even know Julien had been booked the first time and his second challenge was something you'd get away with in the SPL.

"It's unfair to say the ref cost us the tie because the first leg probably cost us more but it was difficult to come here with that Russian ref in charge.

"I still thought it was a great performance and the boys battled well.

"I had a header in the first half that might have changed the game. I made decent contact but maybe it came at the right height for the keeper.

"I was taken off after an hour and although you're never happy being subbed we have an important game on Saturday against Inverness.

"It felt good to be back. The groin was great, and it was no gamble to turn out - I thought I got around the park very well."

Hearts assistant boss John McGlynn said: "We are disappointed but the players worked extremely hard.

"They created two good chances in the first half but it was always a mountain to climb.

"It got even harder when Julien was sent off and then when Neil was dismissed.

"The first goal looked as if it was very harsh so it was a uphill after that but we are proud of the effort the boys put in."

McGlynn added: "It seems as if it Brellier's first booking was for having earrings in and you are not allowed to wear jewellery so it is a lesson for everyone."

Taken from the Daily Record