Dundee United boss Craig Levein has revealed he will consult referees chief Hugh Dallas before deciding whether to appeal against Danny Swanson's sending-off at St Johnstone.

GettyImagesSwanson was shown a straight red by referee Dougie McDonald

United midfielder Swanson was dismissed in Saturday's 3-2 Clydesdale Bank Premier League win at McDiarmid Park for a deliberate trip on Gavin Swankie. While the Tangerines accept the challenge warranted a card, they remain incredulous referee Dougie McDonald produced a straight red.

Levein claims McDonald informed him after the game that a clampdown on such tackles had been ordered by the Scottish Football Association. The United boss was today planning to speak to SFA head of refereeing development Dallas to confirm whether that was the case.

"I'm going to speak to Hugh and see if he has seen the tackle, Levein said in the Evening Telegraph. "If he hasn't, I'll ask him to have a look and get back to us,'' Levein said in the Evening Telegraph.

"If he says it falls within the new guidelines, there is no point in us appealing. But, if he thinks we could have a case, we will appeal.''