Tales from the tabs: Refs under scrutiny

RED-FACED Aberdeen and the fireworks at Easter Road may have made the biggest headlines, but there was still plenty of room in the Daily Record to give referee Craig Thomson pelters for two decisions which went against Rangers in their 3-1 victory at St Mirren.

Although a separate article has Rangers manager Walter Smith backing the referee's decisions which saw a Steven Naismith goal chalked off and a penalty awarded against his side, the match report has no doubts that the ref blundered on both occasions., rating the first call ''bizarre'' and pointing out that St Mirren's Michael Higdon seemed to make up the ref's mind about the penalty by picking the ball up in the box after Thomson had waved play on following a hand ball by Steven Davis.

At least the much-discussed Dougie McDonald gets off lightly this week in ''Dougie Watch'' in the Sun.

The ''shamed ref'' had two penalty claims to deal with in the Falkirk v Ross County match - one for either side - and got both right, according to everyone, including both managers.

Steven Pressley, who saw his Falkirk side beaten 1-0, said: ''Fair play to Dougie. He's had a lot to deal with and he did well.'' Fair play to Elvis too.