Reffing ‘ell. A full four days on from the Old Firm draw and still punters on the Hotline are falling over themselves to have a kick at our officials.
It’s not just derby day refs John Beaton and Willie Collum having the whistle blown on them now though - it’s all of them. Especially the ones holed up in the VAR nerve room in the centre of Glasgow come matchday. Rangers defender Connor Goldson’s ‘handball’ that wasn’t given as a penalty and Celtic stopper Carl Starfelt’s challenge on Fashion Sakala that was remain the central points of debate.
But Eddie Easson, Ballingry, said: “Scottish referees don't hold that much respect worldwide. We had just had the World Cup, was there one there? No. When did the last one officiate at a major final? One ref left Scottish football to go down to England. Is he in the Premiership or Championship? No chance. It has now been proved the ref watching the TV is reffing the big decisions.”
Ian Ferguson, Denny, added: “Who's really in charge? VAR was introduced to assist the referee in correcting obvious errors. With the exception of offside all other major incidents should be brought to the attention of the referee via the pitch side monitor and the final decision should rest with the official on the pitch - not in the VAR room.”
Kenny Goff took aim at Alistair Johnston after the Hoops new boy questioned VAR after just one game in Scottish football. Kenny said: “He’s been in the country a few days, played one game and he’s already crying about the VAR decisions and the referees. Oh he must play for Celtic.”
Stuart McLeod, Stepps, added: “Still the same bleating from Celtic fans days after the latest derby. Why don't the fans look at the ruling rather than engage in fantasy conspiracy theories? There are also some fans that still don’t think Carl Starfelt impedes Fashion Sakala for the Rangers penalty so it shows how deep the delusion sets in.”
Meanwhile Lewis Fotheringham, Mount Ellon, said: “Celtic fans keep banging on about the amount of penalties we get. However, maybe it's because Rangers players get fouled more in the box.”
Hoops fan Steve McSherry, Uddingston, preferred to concentrate on the actual result when he said: “Celtic’s draw with Rangers was quite honestly embarrassing. We are light years ahead of Rangers both on and off the park so to go there and only get one point is not good enough. I’ve no doubt we will trounce them at Celtic Park but we really should have put them in their place at their ground.”
The January transfer window has been open for a week now and Rangers fans are desperate to see Michael Beale add some quality to the ranks. Ex-Rangers skipper Barry Ferguson had suggested Hearts goal machine Lawrence Shankland would be a good fit although any slim hope of prising the hitman from Hearts would come with a whopping price tag.
Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, said: “As Barry Ferguson rightly said, bringing Shankland to Ibrox would be a better option for the club than continuing with out of form Morelos who's goal touch has gone. Shankland has been scoring plenty of goals of late, he’s strong and a no-nonsense type player. He certainly would be a good asset for a club that need to score plenty more goals.”
Bill Park, Glasgow, said: “Michael Beale says his intention is to buy three new players in the January window. No problem there, follow the Graham Souness formula and get a goalkeeper, a centre back, and a striker. Having been involved in English football Beale should have the connections and knowledge of players with the right quality to play for Rangers.”
Over at Celtic and our own Michael Gannon reckons Matt O’Riley will bring the Hoops a £25m windfall when he eventually leaves the east end of Glasgow. But Chris Lowe, Yoker, said: “Seriously? A guy who’s never played in a winning Celtic side in Europe in his career? £25 million for a midfielder who shines against St.Mirren?
"It’s almost as comical as saying Josip Juranovic is going to be let out Sakala’s back pocket for his talks with Barcelona. The Gallowgate Globetrotters myth was put to bed by an average Rangers team recently who dominated them.”
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