Walter Smith admits he was in the wrong for presuming Kilmarnock players were trying to encourage the match official to show RangersPedro Mendes a second yellow card. Smith was sent to the stands by referee Steve Conroy but accepts the explanation of Killie boss Jim Jefferies.

"At the time, I felt the Kilmarnock players were surrounding the referee to get Mendes sent off but Jim assures me that's not the case.

"Jim says the boys just wanted the game to be played on. In this instance, I'm in the wrong with my reaction to that situation."

Jefferies added: "The confusion on the touchline was because Walter thought Conor's (Sammon) reaction was to get Mendes sent off but it wasn't, he wanted the referee to play advantage and then deal with it.

"I think Walter got a bit annoyed with him but I think it livened up the half-time team talk for both camps."

Smith then appeared to exchange words with a fan when sent to the directors box but said: "The boy was just congratulating me for getting sent off."