Alan Stubbs has challenged Alan Muir to justify missing David McCracken’s blatant handball during the 2-2 play-off clash with Falkirk.
Goals from Liam Henderson and Darren McGregor had cancelled out Lee Miller’s first half opener when John McGinn raced through on goal.
After tackling McGinn the Falkirk defender put his hand on the ball, pushed it forward then cleared it out of the penalty box all in full view of Muir who refused to give a penalty.
With ten minutes left to play Bob McHugh equalised for Falkirk with the return leg on Friday night.
Muir is no stranger to missing handball decisions, last April he was behind the goal when Josh Meekings clawed away a net-bound header from Leigh Griffiths, in October he missed two clear cut penalties when Celtic beat Motherwell 1-0 at Fir Park.
Interviewed after tonight’s match by BT Sport Stubbs said: “It’s one of those decisions where unfortunately everybody, even their players knew it was a penalty but one man said he couldn’t see it. When you look at the replay he’s got a great view of it. It’s a very very strange decision why he hasn’t given it.
“That was for us to go 3-1 up. I honestly think that referees should be put in this position to answer, I can’t answer for his decision, it’s obviously very clear that it’s a penalty. Unfortunately a decision has cost us taking a good lead into the second leg.”
Craig Thomson will referee the second leg at Falkirk on Friday.
Is this the most blatant hand ball ever? RT for yes, Like for no #Hibs #Falkirk https://t.co/RFvSXqBhQa pic.twitter.com/Aa1g0QUFVd
— Scottish Sun Sport (@scotsunsport) May 10, 2016
This is not a penalty, according to a Scottish referee standing a few feet away. Embarrassing. ???? pic.twitter.com/W6RNR1MLnR
— Malcolm Robertson (@mrobertson) May 10, 2016
