DUNDEE United caretaker manager Liam Fox last night admitted he could understand his players’ fury over the foul on Jamie McGrath by Rangers defender Leon King when they were pushing for a late equaliser at Ibrox.
However, the Tannadice coach confessed that Ian Harkes should have brought down James Tavernier when the home team’s right back was breaking forward before the opening goal in the first-half.
McGrath’s incensed team mates surrounded referee Kevin Clancy and protested after teenage Rangers centre half King cynically tripped the Irish midfielder as he advanced upfield with five minutes remaining.
Both teams squared up to each other as tempers flared and King, Borna Barisic and Charlie Mulgrew all received yellow cards from the match official before play restarted.
“I can understand it,” said Fox after the narrow 2-1 defeat. “But sometimes players commit tactical fouls. If I am being really honest, Ian Harkes could have done that for the first goal and just fouled him (Tavernier) when he gave the ball away in the same situation.
“We were obviously disappointed that we couldn’t get the counter attack. But it is just one of those things. Rangers will say it is good game management.”
Fox, who took charge of United on a temporary basis after Jack Ross was sacked last month, admitted he will hold talks about his future with Tannadice officials next week.
"My situation will probably be resolved in the next couple of days one way or the other,” he said. “I will speak to Tony (director of football Ashgar) and the board over the next couple of days and see where we are after that. "I've been quite clear that I have always seen myself being a manager at some point, but I have also been clear that I was in no rush to do that. I have enjoyed the last three weeks. The players and the staff have been first-class, really helpful and we will see where it goes in the next couple of days.”
