WALTER SMITH blasted assistant referee Tom Murphy for costing Rangers a win at Motherwell.

WALTER SMITH blasted assistant referee Tom Murphy for costing Rangers a win at Motherwell.

Smith felt a second-half strike from Kris Boyd - which was disallowed for offside - should have been allowed to stand and his gripe was later backed up by TV pictures.

Murphy was also involved when Scott McDonald netted in last April's Old Firm derby at Celtic Park, which the home side won 3-2, and Smith insists he got it wrong again.

"We didn't finish well and the one that we did finish through Kris Boyd was a poor decision from the linesman," Smith said.

"I think it was quite clear it was onside. Mr Murphy was quick to allow a Scott McDonald goal at Celtic Park and was quick to disallow that Boyd goal.

"That's two away from home this season, at Aberdeen and here again, that linesmen have got wrong.

Gers skipper Barry Ferguson made his first start of the season and came through the full 90 minutes.

Smith added: "It was a good game for him to come back because, although it was 0-0, it wasn't a dull 0-0.

"I had no intention of keeping him on for the 90 minutes but, as it went on, he said he was okay."

Smith also confirmed Sasa Papac should be fit for the visit of St Mirren on Saturday after he was stretchered off near the end with a head knock.

He said: "He took a nasty one but seemed to be OK in the dressing room."