BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
Falkirk midfielder Mark Kerr admits he was left “annoyed” by the conduct of Hibs fans after he was incessantly jeered throughout the second half of Saturday’s 1-1 draw.
Kerr was involved in the major flash-point of the contest after 43 minutes, when John McGinn was dismissed for an ill-timed lunge on the 33-year-old.
While the decision of referee Kevin Clancy appeared to be justified, the Bairns stalwart was barracked by the home fans for the rest of the contest.
Abuse would generally be water off a duck’s back for Kerr, however the notion that he would deliberately play-act in order to get a fellow professional sent off clearly rankled with the experienced playmaker.
After taking the unusual step of showing the assembled press the nasty stud marks on his lower leg, complete with slight swelling, he made his feelings clear.
“It annoyed me, because I see myself as being an honest player,” said Kerr. “I never roll about or ask for treatment – but I jarred my knee as well.
“I never stay down, I like a hard tackle and I’d never try to get someone sent off. I didn’t even know whether he had been booked or sent off when I got up.
“It’s not a horrendous tackle but he has caught me. I can see why it’s a red card. The lads were giving the referee stick and I said ‘listen, he hasn’t missed me!’”
Rangers
The Bairns’ failure to hold on to their late advantage saw them waste a golden opportunity to move to within three points of their hosts and announce themselves as bona fide Championship title contenders.
Nevertheless, with Rangers due to visit the Falkirk Stadium on Saturday, Kerr reckons it would be folly to write off Peter Houston’s charges.
The former Dundee United and Aberdeen man added: “On Saturday we felt, going to Easter Road, that it could be the day where people say ‘Falkirk can stand up to the two teams at the top of the league’.
“When we went one-up, that would have been us getting right in [the title race] if we’d held on. However, it’s the same next week against Rangers – and we will be positive. At home, we believe we can get the win.
“We are a good unit and are happy with what we are giving as a team. The gaffer is the same, we are all together and that is a great feeling.”
