Strachan: Dugarry bossed the ref

Southampton boss Gordon Strachan has accused referee Steve Bennett of allowing Birmingham striker Christophe Dugarry to run their Premiership clash at St Andrews.

Dugarry turned in a world-class performance with his two goals enabling Blues win 3-2 - a victory that virtually guarantees their top-flight status for another season.

But Strachan believes Bennett was influenced too much by the French World Cup star who is on loan from Bordeaux until the end of the season.

Strachan said: "I thought Christophe Dugarry's ability and personality were overpowering for everybody on the pitch - and I mean everybody.

"My players at times couldn't handle his ability but I thought his personality was too much for everybody.

"I've seen some strange things out there that told me who mentally was going to be the boss on the pitch today.

"The referee called for Dugarry to come 20 yards towards him. He refused to go and the ref went and saw him. That tells you what type of mentality you are dealing with."

Strachan added: "The goals won the game but on the field mentally the strongest personality should be the referee.

"It's the first time I've ever seen anything like that and the fourth official said to me that it was out of order.

"I've seen Clive Thomas make Kenny Dalglish walk 20 yards to him but that's not what happened today.

"I thought it affected the game in terms of what you could get away with. But I reiterate he was the best player on the pitch and it was a world-class performance."

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce played down Strachan's claims and would only say: "Only Gordon could come out and say something like that. I don't think Christophe influenced the ref.

"I think he influenced the game. He could play in any team in the world he wanted to and we are delighted to have him.

"He came here in January and knew it was not going to be easy but he rolled up his sleeves and has led from the front.

"Some of the comments that were said when he came here, most notably by Ray Houghton, were scandalous, and maybe he has shut those people up."

Bruce added: "We are not quite over the finishing line but it would be like a Devon Lock situation if we didn't do it.

"I've got a bunch of honest and committed players here, superb characters who deserve to stay in the Premiership and we've got a really good chance now."