Alan Stubbs is bracing himself for honest mistakes in Monday’s trip to Ibrox to face Sevco.
Hibs had Danny Handling sent-off at Ibrox earlier this season in the Petrofec Training Challenge Cup with the League One champions enjoying the benefit of a number of controversial refereeing decisions.
In midweek Falkirk boss Peter Houston was angry that his side had a clear penalty missed by Allan Muir with Stubbs fearing the worst ahead of Monday’s match which will be refereed by Calum Murray.
Previewing the trip to Ibrox the Hibs boss asked: “Do I want a strong referee? Is that not what we always want? I’m not asking for anything that’s any different. I expect refereeing decisions to be consistent.
“I’m sure Peter Houston would be saying the same thing just now. I’ve seen the hand ball … it’s a hand ball.
“The Danny Handling red card in that last game for us at Ibrox was also a turning point. I don’t think I’m saying anything untoward there.”
After losing out to Sevco on Tuesday Falkirk boss Houston said: “I felt we were denied a stonewall penalty kick. Rory (Loy) has taken a bad touch but it has smacked up off the boy’s arm and the players are adamant it was a penalty.
“I have no idea why the referee didn’t give it. The rule is if your arm is up in the box you and it hits it, then it’s a penalty kick. Unfortunately, the referee never saw it the way I saw it.”
Before the opening match of the season, following Handling’s red card at Ibrox, Hearts boss Robbie Nielson had his players training in expectation of having a player sent off.
Neilson admitted: “We’ve been working on 10 versus 11 because we know what it’s like when we go there – the atmosphere, with referees – and you never know what’s going to happen.
“It’s important we work on all these kinds of things and prepare for different scenarios that could happen in a game. It will be a big game. The place will be packed to the rafters.
“This will be one of the most competitive games Rangers have had in the last couple of years, certainly in the league.
“We must prepare for it properly and cover all the bases for things that could happen. That’s got to be one of them.”
Hearts won 2-1 at Ibrox and can go six points clear of Ally McCoist’s side if they win at Livingston on Sunday.
Following Monday’s match with Hibs Sevco’s only home matches before 2015 will be against Raith Rovers, Falkirk, Alloa Athletic, Cowdeneath and Livingston, the League Cup tie with St Johnstone will see the ticket money split.
