Aberdeen boss Barry Robson insists referees need support as he slammed the abuse and threats aimed at Kevin Clancy following the Old Firm fallout.
Robson joined the condemnation of the hate-filled messages sent to the whistler which were revealed by the SFA earlier this week and says he hopes it doesn’t put future generations off refereeing. Clancy controversially disallowed an Alfredo Morelos goal with Saturday’s game level at 0-0 before Celtic went on to beat Rangers 3-2.
Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin took aim at the perpetrators yesterday - condemning the abuse as “disgraceful” and backing Clancy as “one of the best referees in the country”. And Robson said: “I hope it doesn’t put off referees. It’s not right. The referees have a really difficult job. It’s not like they’re not trying. I think it’s hard for them. We have to try and be as supportive as we can to the refs. They’re trying to make decisions as the game gets quicker and faster. We can’t have people having a go at different people’s private lives. It’s not right. We all know that.
“They’re just trying to do their job on the football pitch. We’ve got to try and bring a good product and they’re trying their best to make sure the games flow and they don’t have to make wrong decisions.
“We are all humans and will make wrong decisions.”
Meanwhile, Robson admits he was shocked when Hearts sacked Robbie Neilson just a day after his Aberdeen side leapfrogged them into third. The absorbing battle for that lucrative ‘best of the rest’ spot took a major twist this week when, hot on the heels of the Dons overturning a huge deficit, the Jambos pulled the trigger on their boss.
Given that Aberdeen trailed the Tynecastle side by nine points when Robson took interim charge eight games ago it might not have been a surprise to some. But the Pittodrie boss was shocked and reckons the Jambos have lost a “top manager” as he prepares to resume that battle for third with former Scotland team mate Steven Naismith now at the helm in a caretaker capacity for Hearts.
That starts with a trip to face Ross County this evening where the Dons can go five points clear of Hearts with a win and, asked if the Jambos’ move had surprised him, Robson said: “Yes. I’m disappointed when any manager loses his job.
“He has been really successful and done ever so well at Hearts. It is not for me to comment on Hearts and how they deal with football managers.
“The only thing I can say is I thought Robbie did a terrific job, there is no doubting that. It is unfortunate he is not there anymore because for me he was a top manager.
“Good for Naisy. He’s a good guy, got on well with him, good player. It’s a great opportunity for him, he will want to do it. He’s bright on the game, knows the game, it’s a big club to go and have his first shot at it.
“We wish him well. Not against us. But I’m sure he will do alright because he’s a football man and will want to do really well.
“I have a lot of time and respect for him as a player. I don’t know him as a coach but I have a lot of respect as a player and a former team mate. I’m sure he will do well.”
Robson himself has no guarantee to be in the Pittodrie hotseat beyond the summer but securing third spot and the £5m Euro ticket that goes with it would certainly help his chances.
He said: “That’s a long way and not something I’ve thought about. The only important thing is the next game. Every manager’s job, we are all under pressure, no matter where you are. I have been in the game long enough to know that.
“For me you just have to win games of football. That helps. It is an all consuming job but an enjoyable one. I never came in with my eyes closed, I came in with my eyes open.
“I know the difficulty the job can bring for every manager. But I have good people and players around me which helps. I just have to keep on a level playing field and keep working the same as I did when I was a player.
"Head down, keep working and keep going forward. It’s a good league this year. I’m sure it will go right to the wire. Here’s hoping we can put on some good games for the fans to enjoy.”
Aberdeen, who have Graeme Shinnie available after suspension, head to Dingwall this evening having not beaten County in their last five meetings since Malky Mackay took charge.
Robson said: “They’ve a good manager, are organised, disciplined and will make it hard. It’s a tight pitch and you’re going to need to match them in the fight. If you don’t you will come unstuck.
“It’s as difficult as it comes. But we have 2500 fans going up and actually sold more yesterday. They’ve been brilliant for us. Outstanding. The fans deserve huge credit for what we’ve achieved over recent weeks.”
