Ciftci ‘let himself down’ if guilty

Kevin Thomson says former team Rangers will have it tough in final. Picture: Steve Welsh

The alleged incident is said to have taken place during the latter stages of United’s 3-0 derby victory on Sunday.

The seriousness of the flashpoint only became apparent after the Tannadice tussle when a picture emerged on social media purporting to show a bite mark on the winger’s leg.

Scottish FA compliance officer Tony McGlennan is said to be reviewing the incident to see whether there are grounds to issue a Notice of Complaint.

Thomson, who sat out the final game of the season, said: “I’ve seen his leg and there is obviously a mark on his leg. The chat in the dressing room was one of disappointment after getting beat. Regarding the incident, I never saw it myself and I’ve not seen it on the telly yet because we had the Player of the Year awards after. I did hear one of the fans tell me that there was media coverage of it. I’ll just wait and see what happens.

“If it’s happened, it is odd. Ciftci was terrific on Sunday but if he’s done that, he’s probably let himself down. (But) until he’s found guilty (by the Scottish FA) it’s not really for me to say.

“It’s not something that anyone wants to see, red cards, bad tackles and people getting serious injuries. It’s never nice. It’s just a game and unfortunately these things pop up every now and then. ”

Thomson, meanwhile, insists he would have made former team Rangers overwhelming favourites to beat Motherwell in the play-off final if the teams had locked horns earlier in the season.

However, the Dens Park skipper admits the arrival of ex-team-mate Scott McDonald and Stephen Pearson at Fir Park has ensured that the Premiership promotion decider will be anything but a one-sided affair.

Australian cap McDonald, who played with Thomson at Middlesbrough, has netted five goals in 11 matches since returning to Fir Park in February, while former Celtic playmaker Pearson has also made a difference after re-signing at the turn of the year.

Said McDonald: “It’s going to be tight. the Championship was tight between Hibs and Rangers all season. The play-off was an edgy affair and the final will be the same.

“I thought at one stage of the season that Rangers would have been a shoo-in to beat them, but since Oz has come in, they’ve signed Pearo and they’ve got a bit of experience about them. It’s going to be nip and tuck.”

• Thomson was speaking ahead of the Bank of Scotland Midnight League South West Regional final – a national network of 5-a-side football activity, targeting 12 to 16-year-olds across the country. More than 100 young people will compete at the showpiece final to be held at Annan on Friday evening.

Ciftci ‘let himself down’ if guilty - Kevin Thomson