James Fowler has hit out at Alan Muir for the controversial free kick that led to Sevco’s opening goal in the quarter final tie in the Premiership play-off.
The Queen of the South boss could have no complaints about Steven Smith’s van Dijk like execution of the free kick from 25 yards out but it seems that Muir was the only man on the park to miss Haris Vuckic’s foul on Andy Dowie in the lead up to the free kick.
In his role as additional assistant to Steven McLean in the Celtic v Inverness Scottish Cup semi-final Muir was the closest official to Josh Meekings in the handball incident that ended Celtic’s treble hopes, yesterday it seems that his decision making also left a lot to be desired.
“Vuckic isn’t looking at the ball and has given Andy (Dowie) a nudge hat has put him off
balance,” Fowler explained. “That’s caused him to foul Vuckic, it’s a bit disappointing it wasn’t seen.”
Queens equalised through Derek Lyle but the debt laden League One champions won the tie with a header from Dean Shiels 15 minutes from the end.
Looking at the free-kick Queens defender Dowie revealed: “When the other player involved in the incident tells you it is a foul – then it must be a foul.
“You would hope the referee would spot it. He is in the perfect position You saw the reaction from my team-mates – they were asking the ref why it wasn’t a foul.”
The return leg is at Ibrox a week today with the winners playing Hibs for a play-off against the team that finishes second bottom of the Premiership.