Jim Jefferies, the Kilmarnock manager, feels there will be little point in turning up for the CIS Insurance Cup final if Dougie McDonald repeats his refereeing performance from yesterday's 3-1 defeat to Rangers at Rugby Park.
Kris Boyd scored the first of his hat trick from a debatable penalty award after a challenge on him by Simon Ford appeared to win the ball on the fringe of the area. That was not the only incident involving McDonald to upset the home side as the Ibrox club moved back to within 19 points of league leaders Celtic.
McDonald has been selected to take charge of Kilmarnock's Hampden meeting with Hibernian on March 18, a prospect which hardly thrills Jefferies.
"It's tough enough to play Rangers, so the last thing you need is for them to be given a lift early in the game but, unfortunately, Mr McDonald did that," said Jefferies.
"I think he set the tone just before the penalty when he gave a foul after Rocco Quinn had made a beautiful tackle.
"I don't think anyone could believe that, but stunned was the word when the penalty was given. I didn't see any Rangers players complaining, so you'd have to ask Mr McDonald why he gave it. I heard that he is the League Cup final referee. I just hope he has a better day then.
"Otherwise, it's not worth turning up."
Jefferies was equally upset by his side's defending as Boyd was left unmarked to head Rangers' second. The striker then completed a treble against his former club with another penalty after James Fowler had barged Nacho Novo.
In between those strikes, Kilmarnock missed a spot kick of their own when Allan McGregor saved Peter Leven's effort. Steven Naismith finally snatched a consolation goal for the Rugby Park club with 17 minutes remaining.
"Rangers got another gift because there was no-one near Boyd for his header," Jefferies said. "He's the last guy you want to leave in that position and I'm probably more peeved about that than the penalty.
"Stevie Naismith had been hurt winning our penalty and the rules state you cannot come back on the park until the ball has gone out of play again. We had to find another taker and Peter missed it. We ended up 3-0 down when it should have been 2-1, but the players deserve credit for never giving in."
Boyd admitted astonishment over his first penalty, but that was surpassed by pleasure at reaching the 20-goal mark. Both he and Rangers head for Wednesday's UEFA Cup first leg against Hapoel Tel Aviv in fine fettle.
"I was more surprised than anyone to get the penalty but I wasn't going to turn around and say no," said Boyd. "I had not scored for a couple of weeks so it was good to come back with a hat trick.
"I always like to beat what I got last season 37 goals, but that is going to be difficult now."
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