Give foul mouth refs red card.

Byline: john hillcoat

ALLOA defender Scott Walker: "Ref, what is the free-kick for?" Grade One official: "F*** o**!" And Walter Smith and Co. are up in arms about the standard of the referees in the SPL? What about us paupers in the lower leagues who are subjected to foul abuse by officials every week. Some of the whistlers honouring us with their presence treat the players like second-class citizens who shouldn't even be on the same pitch.

Steve Conroy copped stick for his display in last week's game between Rangers and Kilmarnock but believe me - he's one of the best we have. Steve talks to you like a human being, not lower league scum, and I've never had a problem with him.

Rangers boss Smith certainly did at Rugby Park and was sent to the stands after blowing his top when Pedro Mendes was ordered off.

At least Walter had the decency to admit he made a mistake after wrongly thinking Killie striker Conor Sammon was trying to get the midfielder sent off.

But he was still scratching his dome at how Conroy (below) managed to brandish 11 yellow cards and two reds in a game Aggie the tea lady would have strolled through.

As the poor whistler took pelters for his performance SFA refs chief Hugh Dallas urged the players to take more responsibility for the actions.

Dallas and the SFA are planning visits to every club in a bid to keep players and managers up to speed on the latest laws.

However, the real problem doesn't lie with the ignorance of guys on football's front line.

We recognise refs are only human and make mistakes.

Respect But it's how those errors are dealt with that really riles players and coaches.

All we are looking for is a little bit of consistency and to be treated with respect.

And officials who visit the lower leagues often speak to players as if they are something they have just scraped off their shoe.

Their man-management skills are dreadful and acting like Saddam Hussein is just asking for trouble.

I understand young refs have to learn their trade in the SFL before making the step up to the top flight.

But what these guys don't understand is football in the lower leagues is just as important to players and fans as it is to the royalty in the SPL.

And their schoolboy errors have the same, if not greater, consequences on the outcome of a match.

We're not guinea pigs and deserve the same quality of refereeing as the big boys.

So the quicker refs learn consistency and man management skills are everything on a football pitch the easier their job will become.

Meanwhile, it was interesting to see Jody Morris claim his career revival at St Johnstone was down to the influence of gaffer Derek McInnes.

Morris is one of the best midfielders in the country and could grace any side in the SPL - the Old Firm included.

I'm sure Del agrees and he has worked wonders to get the little Cockney back to his best after on and off-field troubles down south.

I spent a short spell in Perth last season and wee Jody is a top lad.

He played with some huge stars in his Chelsea days and clearly has the talent to shine at the highest level.

And I bet his new lease of life is down to Derek using the "treat players as you would like to be treated" approach.

Players love managers who give them respect and are honest all times.

Former Saints boss Owen Coyle also has those qualities and I'm sure that has played a key role in his success down at Burnley.

However, some rookies turn into monsters when they pull on the sheepskin jacket.

Human decency goes out the window as they lie and cheat in the hope it will keep them in a job.

But those cloak-and-dagger ways eventually come back to haunt them as the players refuse to give 100 per cent.

I have played with plenty of guys now taking their first steps in management.

And I'd like to give some words of advice to Gary Bollan, Steven Tweed, Brian Reid and Keith Knox as they set out at Livingston, Montrose, Ayr United and Stranraer.

Follow the example of McInnes and Coyle by showing honesty and respect to your charges. It will take you far.