IT was easy to understand Ally McCoist's unhappiness at the red-carding of Ian Black against Elgin City. Yes, the former Inverness Caley and Hearts player is not averse to putting in a meaty challenge.

And, yes, his disciplinary record is not exactly exemplary. The weekend was the fourth time in two seasons he has been sent for an early bath. But the challenge on substitute Gavin Morrison that earned him a second yellow card at Borough Briggs was not worthy of a yellow card.

Referee David Somers, who had enjoyed a decent game up to that point, reached for his pocket as soon as the Elgin player went to ground.

It was a clear case of Black's bad boy reputation preceding him. The 29-year-old has been subjected to some blatant fouls in the fourth tier and has done well not to retaliate.

Ian Black is no angel. But he is being unfairly judged on his past indiscretions. He should be treated the same as any other player on the day of a game.

NO says JOHN McGILL

IAN BLACK has complained constantly about the tackles that have gone unpunished this season in the SPL.

But the truth is the midfielder hasn't been slow to throw himself into a challenge and that has been the case during his entire career.

He likes to think of himself as a midfield enforcer yet has spent much of this term looking for the referee to clamp down on his opponents.

First and foremost, he should be good enough to dominate matches in the Third Division without having to engage in a physical battle with any of the opposition.

But his performances have been poor. He rarely controls a game from the middle of the park and that has probably forced him to have to try and make up for it with aggression.

His second yellow card might have been soft, however, but if he wants to spend 90 minutes throwing himself into tackles every weekend then he is going to find himself getting into trouble every so often as well.