St Mirren manager Jack Ross insists that a lack of clarity over the rules is why he has picked up a one-game touchline ban.

Ross was sent to the stand by referee Craig Thomson during his side’s 3-1 victory at Livingston on August 19 after defender Stelios Demetriou was forced to leave the pitch to receive treatment, despite being on the end of a tackle from Danny Mullen that merited a caution.

The Buddies were temporarily reduced to nine men, with defender Gary Irvine having already been sent off.

And Ross admits his interpretation of the rules was different to those enforced by Thomson.

Ross, who was found guilty of breaching Disciplinary Rule 203 and will serve the suspension in tomorrow’s Irn-Bru Cup clash with Hearts colts, said: “I attended a referees meeting and it was explained to me that if your player is on the other end of a tackle that results in a caution then he is allowed to receive treatment and stay on the pitch.

“However, when Stelios received treatment he then had to go off the park.

“I probably didn’t react in the right way because I was so frustrated. Craig explained that it is at the referee’s discretion, however, that wasn’t explained to us.

“It would be good if that was explained clearly to us in the first instance then it could perhaps prevent situations when managers become frustrated.

“I shouldn’t leave my technical area, I accept that."