Shiels surprised not to get an apology from referee Thomson

Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels has revealed his surprise that referee Craig Thomson has not been in touch to apologise for Liam Kelly’s red card.

The Rugby Park manager was expecting a phone call from the match official after claiming his player was wrongly dismissed during Tuesday’s 4-0 defeat to Dundee United in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Shiels has been left in little doubt about the innocence of Kelly – who was sent-off for a last-man challenge on Gary Mackay-Steven when the game was still goalless – but will not appeal against the decision.

He said: “I’m still waiting on an apology from the referee. He hasn’t rung and I thought he might ring to apologise.

“He got the sending-off wrong and that was quite obvious.

“I thought [getting in touch] was protocol but it hasn’t happened much to us because we have a really good disciplinary record.

“It mustn’t be the protocol but I didn’t realise that.” Shiels will not take the case to the Scottish Football Association, claiming the Ayrshire club’s appeal would be a waste of money.

He said: “We are not appealing it because I don’t think we are a big enough club to win the appeal.

“Case history tells you that I’m losing £1,000 of the club’s money so I have declined to appeal it.

“We will just take the medicine – even though we don’t feel it’s just, we are going to take it and get on with it. We are disappointed but we carry on. I’m not angry, just frustrated.”

Meanwhile, Kilmarnock have been dealt a blow with the news that on-loan Celtic defender Lewis Toshney could be facing a spell on the sidelines with a groin injury. He is definitely out of this weekend’s SPL clash with Hibernian.

Elsewhere, St Mirren manager Danny Lennon has warned his players they must rediscover their attacking threat if they are to win the race for a place in the top-six. St Mirren have produced three consecutive goalless draws in the SPL, the latest against sixth-placed Dundee united, who are now five points ahead of the Paisley side.

Saints host Aberdeen tomorrow, knowing that a win would see them move above their opponents and back into contention for a spot in the upper-reaches of the league.

“We are ordinary when we don’t play our own way, as those who were at the game last week would tell you,” Lennon said.

“Our attacking threat is our biggest attribute and we have to show a desire to demonstrate that. Draws aren’t enough, we are hungry for wins and if we play to our strengths we will win games and give ourselves a chance.”