AN emotional Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke last night claimed that Alan Muir and his officiating team had determined the outcome of yesterday’s William Hill Scottish Cup fifth round replay against Rangers - then called out the Ibrox supporters who called him a “Fenian b******” for dragging Scottish football into the dark ages.

The Killie boss, who was on the receiving end of chants from the home fans towards the end of the 5-0 defeat, raised the issue of why it was okay for him to be on the receiving end of anti-Catholic singing, yet far sterner action would have been taken if his black assistant manager Alex Dyer had been on the receiving end of derogatory comments about his race. Revealing that he had spoken to Ibrox directors about taking the top job in Govan after the sacking of Pedro Caixinha, he said the incident made a mockery of the claim that his religion wouldn’t be an issue.

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“It’s nice being back in the west of Scotland – really nice,” Clarke said sarcastically. “When I was approached by Rangers about taking over the job here I was assured, nah, we didn’t have that in the west of Scotland anymore and it had gone. Hahaha.

“They can call me a b***** or w***** but to call me a Fenian b*****?” he added. “Come on.

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“We’re living in the dark ages,” he added. “They’re not allowed to call my assistant a black b but they can call me a Fenian b******. Is that correct? What are we doing in Scotland?

“I wake up every morning and I thank Chelsea for taking me away from the West. My children have nothing to do this with this thankfully. My children and grandchildren … It’s fantastic to be back in Scotland.”

As for the match, Clarke – no stranger to brushes with officialdom this season – was incensed by two decisions in particular by the match official. The first came within two minutes, when the referee waved play on when Joe Worrall wrapped a right arm around Eamonn Brophy within the penalty box, apparently denying him a clear strike on goal. Instead, it was Killie who had to play the majority of this match a man down, after goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann was dismissed after catching Glen Kamara with his left elbow as he raised his arms in preparation to defend a corner. Clarke claimed that the contact was incidental and not worthy of a red card.

“If the penalty had been given in the first two minutes it would have been different,” said Clarke. “It doesn’t matter when it comes - a penalty is a penalty. Thirty seconds in or thirty seconds into injury time - it’s a pen so just give it.

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“And the red card is a joke,” added the Killie boss. “The goalie just lifted his arms - every goalie does it every week. It’s embarrassing. I’m talking in general. Bad decisions. All we talk about is our refs. How can I talk about football tonight?

“It’s a joke,” he added. “If that’s the standards we might as well go home. Why speak? It’s every week, every other week. Why?

“You’ll probably write Morelos four goals but the officials decided the game. It’s embarrassing.”

While Clarke said he wasn’t “interested” in debates around introducing foreign referees Gary Dicker, the club’s experienced midfielder, said he was at a loss that the early penalty wasn’t given. “Everyone is sick of talking about referees - make your own mind up,” said Dicker. “Everyone can see it, we can see it but it’s Rangers away and it’s the first two minutes of the game so I’ll let you decide if it’s a penalty or not.

“From where I was standing it was,” he added. “But I’ve got nothing else to say on it, it’s gone. We let ourselves down but it’s big decisions and people go home and it doesn’t affect their life but it has a massive impact on the game. But I’m fed up talking about it and I’m sure everyone else is. The more you talk about the more they like it.”

Clarke’s opposite number Steven Gerrard felt the penalty incident was debatable – but Brophy had been offside in the first place. “I think they’re entitled to have an opinion,” he said. “I thought it was offside before it. Joe’s hand did go across the player but as strong as Brophy is I’m not sure he should go down so it’s debatable.”