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Kilmarnock's Jamie MacDonald calls for better communication of rule changes

:Headline: Kilmarnock's Jamie MacDonald calls for better communication of rule changes: ID:336351: from db_amp
Controversy around refereeing decisions and interpretations has dogged the start of the season in Scotland.

Kilmarnock goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald wants players to be offered a simplified and more personal explanation on rule changes.

Controversy around refereeing decisions and interpretations has dogged the start of the season in Scotland, with Killie involved in two high-profile incidents.

Aberdeen were furious when defender Mikey Devlin was shown a straight red card for hauling back Kilmarnock attacker Eamonn Brophy in the Ayrshire side's 2-0 win at Pittodrie.

The previous week Killie midfielder Gary Dicker was sent off for a challenge on Hearts' Callumn Morris as the Edinburgh side won 1-0 at Rugby Park.

Boss Steve Clarke, charged by the Scottish Football Association for criticising the governing body's disciplinary process after Dicker lost his red-card appeal, claimed on Friday that refereeing decisions have influenced three of the five Ladbrokes Premiership games his side have played this season.

Ahead of the visit of Celtic on Sunday, MacDonald, 32, said: "Looking back at Aberdeen a few weeks ago, it wasn't a red card for me, but it allowed us to go and dominate the game and get the points.

"There was another incident the week before when I don't think it was a red card for us against Hearts, which we then lose the game being down to 10 men.

"Sometimes that is part of football and you have to accept that.

"One thing I would say is, there is a captain's meeting at the beginning of the season and you go to see the officials about the rule changes.

"In years to come it would  be better if they went to the club's individually because you are relying on one person who goes to those meetings to relay the information.

"I remember going a couple of years ago and in all honesty, there is a lot you don't take in because it is a lot of jargon.

"It maybe be helpful in the future, when there is these rule changes,  then maybe an official comes to each club and explains it to all the boys, break down into simple language as well.

"That would help everybody so we could get a clearer idea of the rules for that season.

"They do like to change or tweak them and it seems the wording of the rules seems to cause the bother more than anything and at the end of the day, it is down to interpretation."

After scraping a 1-0 win over Rosenborg in their Europa League Group B opener at Parkhead on Thursday night, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers admitted his double-treble winners had not yet found top gear this season.

However, MacDonald said: "Celtic are still a fantastic team. In the last two seasons they have been unreal and to keep that momentum going week after week is difficult.

"They have had  a tough European run this summer  as well. Probably their main aim was to get into the Champions League, unfortunately they didn't do it, they got into the Europa League.

"That's when you can can capitalise in teams, when they come back from a European night and hopefully that will be the case this weekend.

"They had a tough game on Thursday night so hopefully we can play on that on Sunday."

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