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Celtic Diary Tuesday April 18: SFA Act On Sub Standard Refs

Right, it wasn’t a penalty.

It wasn’t  a sending off, although Brown shouldn’t have given Robertson a decision to make.

It’s done, and we need to move on.

The SFA would like that as well and have gone into full defence mode.

Between them, the beaks and  the Scotsman wheeled out former referee Gary Anderson ( No, I don’t remember him either ) to explain the thinking behind the penalty award, which kind of confirms that all the referees are below standard, even the retired ones.

What Don Robertson has done wrong is that he’s anticipated the contact from Erik Sviatchenko. He’s saw the Celtic player coming back to his opponent, going to stick his leg out and then he’s saw the County player hit the deck. 

He’s saw-he has saw ?  so far, this is making my eyes sore. Anderson is implying that Robertson has given a penalty because he thought Sviatchenko was going to foul Schalk. Like when Rikki Fulton, as the Rangers manager, asked catholic signing Brendan O’Malley if he had ever thought about fouling anyone.

He’s then given the decision, despite not actually seeing any contact from the Celtic defender. He’s just assumed that it happened, which is a big mistake. 

Like when Willie Collum “saw ” Daniel Mastojovic foul Kirk Broadfoot

Image result for Daniel Majstorovic penalty

Willie Collum will be refereeing the cup clash with “rangers ” this Sunday. Happily, he will have Don Robertson on hand to help him see whatever they need to see.

In these instances, even in dead rubber games such as this one, a referee should not be giving a late-game penalty on a hunch. 

Er, is there a difference in the rules when its a dead rubber game ? The narrative here is implying it doesn;t matter. No harm done.

Some have wondered how he couldn’t tell it was a dive, seeing as it was so obvious. The main stand camera angle clearly showed it was a dive in real time, and that’s the view the subscription paying public got to see. If the man sitting on his couch knows, why doesn’t the referee? 

Could it be that the man on the couch has a better understanding of the rules ?

Well, just because you’re literally hundreds of miles away, doesn’t mean you won’t have a better view. Certain angles can be deceptive, and in this instance it could be the case that Robertson was tricked into seeing something that wasn’t there.  

Is he suggesting Robertson was hypnotised ?

Image One

From his angle, with Schalk and Sviatchenko both side on, he would have been unable to determine the gap between both players. 

Yes he would.

Image One (above) is not quite the reverse angle, as it’s about 45 degrees too far to the right, but it gives you a better idea of what the referee is looking at from the other side. 

This is a better idea of what the ref was looking at -or at least thinking about.

Image result for pint of beer in masonic lodge

The players look much closer together than they actually are. The linesman should be able to tell, but there’s a chance his view isn’t the best either. 

Theres also a chance his view is better, which isn’t mentioned by Anderson.

With the ball having gone down towards the byline before being cut back, he’s not looking at it side on, where he would be best placed to judge. His view might be partially blocked by the body of Sviatchenko. Furthermore, the assistant referee may have had a better idea it was a dive, but due to his angle probably wasn’t sure and didn’t want to overrule Robertson. 

Then what is his purpose ? And why did he run full pelt to the tunnel at full time without shaking anyones hand ?

From Schalk hitting the deck to the whistle going there is only around one second, which indicates Robertson made the call without any consultation. 

Thats right. He couldn’t wait.

 

In that circumstance, it would take a brave assistant to overrule the leading match official in case it later transpires he’s got it wrong. 

Or one actually doing his job.

Added to all of this is Schalk’s dive itself. Without meaning to praise a blatant act of cheating, 

but it was a thing of beauty..he did it so well he fooled everyone except those who saw it.

the Dutchman times his tumble perfectly as he goes past Sviatchenko, and even flicks his left boot inward (also visible in Image One), like it’s been forcefully pushed in that direction by that of an opposing defender. Schalk has conned Celtic but he’s conned the referee as well, and no official wants to be made to look a fool by any player.

Dead right. They are perfectly capable of doing that all by themselves.

Others have claimed the fourth official or far side linesman should have intervened, but there’s no chance they would. Even if their view is clear, they’re too far away from the incident. 

Ah-that explains why everyone in the crowd thought it was a penalty.

• Craig Anderson is a former fully qualified referee. 

Don Robertson is a fully qualified referee. So is Andrew Dallas, And Bobby Madden. and John Beaton. And so on.

 

The problem lies with the referee chief. He’s doing nothing to improve the quality of the referees in Scotland, and isn’t being held accountable.

In October 2015, he told Gary Ralston, of the Record why Scottish refs keep making an arse of things..

They don’t benefit from the 22 camera positions and slow-motion replays fans and pundits have instant access to.

The answer to the problem then is to have someone watching the telly , contactable by ear piece who has got that advantage. Yet Fleming has made no move towards introducing this. Even on a trail basis in one of the Cup competitions.

Yesterday, he came out and spoke about the Schalk incident,  and its unusual enough for anyone at the SFA to speak about anything.

But thise wagons need to be circled. Quickly.

It’s an error from the referee, quite obviously, and it was identified very quickly when you look at the live footage,” Fleming said.

“It’s a good example of where a video assistant referee would clarify the situation very, very quickly.

“It’s simulation by the player. The players will adopt whatever tactics they adopt though, it’s up to my own department to see if we can identify the issues that are deemed to be unfair.

“As [Ross County manager] Jim McIntyre said, maybe the player anticipated contact, but that’s one of the criteria for simulation – the anticipation or initiation of contact. The player anticipated something and he went to ground.

“From our perspective, we need to make sure that the referee is in a good position to see that, and I’ve got to work with Don and the assistant referee to make sure they are in a good position when the two players come together to identify whether there is contact enough to put a player to ground or not. 

“Don was in a good position, but he didn’t get the view he wanted, hence the reason why he still got it wrong and he gave the penalty kick. 

“There are things where the video assistant referee will tell us matters of fact. Was it inside or outside the penalty area? Onside or offside? Over the line or not?

“Incidents like yesterday, when you look at the footage, it is clear that it is simulation. So, for an incident as clear-cut as that, then it can be identified by the video assistant referee.” 

But, of course, he has no intention of introducing video assistants.

Or he would have done by now.

As for working with “Don and the assistant referee” , that simply isn’t good enough, especially as Robertson is due to be part of the team at the Semi Final on Sunday.

The question remains, however, is it a conspiracy, or is it just that the referees are crap.

Or maybe its a conspiracy where referees are intentionally picked because they are piss poor. That way, no one has to encourage them to make the “right ” decision , they’ll do it all by themselves anyway.

Whatever the reason, this Sundays game is not a dead rubber, and the consequences of any mistakes, honest or otherwise, will be far more serious than the fall out from Sunday.

Former defender Johann Mjallby reckons ots not down to officials if Celtic fail to land a treble. Its not about that, its about the fact that the officials are not competent enough to ensure that a level playing field ensues.

The Swede told the Evening Times;

“You can’t look at it that way. The officials do everything they can to make everything right but it is impossible otherwise you would just have computers there making all the decisions. It is just the way it is.

“I am quite sure no-one in the Celtic camp will be thinking that way. I have never experienced that where you would walk around thinking that a referee was going to make a decision go against you and it will blow up your chances of winning a Treble.

If it happens it happens but that is not in your mind and it won’t be on Brendan Rodgers’ mind or the players’ minds. They are going out to play the game and even if they win the game on Sunday they still have another game to go.

“Of course it is fine [Robertson involved on Sunday]. He is a referee. I don’t know how many years and how many games he has been refereeing but he is there and has been appointed to do his job and I am sure he will do his job to the utmost of his ability.” 

And Mjallby, of course, always stopped to listen to what referees said..

Image result for johan mjallby argues with referee

 

With Celtic ignoring the warning signs of recent games where players have been injured by enthusiastic tackles after referees allowed earlier challenges to go unpunished, its time the manager and the CEO spoke out about the lack of protection for the players.

Its fairly certain that “rangers ” will adopt their usual kick and rush style on sunday, and Collum must be firm to keep the game under control.

One of the problems to be dealt with is that there are so many average players in the “rangers ” side who are simply not up to playing in the goldfish bowl of Glasgow, and they cannot handle the attention or the pressure.

With Europe about to close the door on the club due to their imaginative accounting, this is as big a game as it gets for them, and fearing another five goal humiliation, they will resort to the physical side of the game, and hope the referee likes a drink…

Image result for goat drinking beer

Elsewhere, and the long awaited trial of Craig Whyte starts today.

Retweeted

Please note that the Rangers case remains live under Contempt of Court Act and nothing should be published that might prejudice the case  

Whyte had apparently appeared on twitter,

but he has had second thoughts. If it was him, that is..

Sorry, that page doesn’t exist!

You can search Twitter using the search box below or return to the homepage.

Probably for the best, really. I also note there that John James has offered the use of his site to give Whyte a voice, clearly demonstrating a working knowledge of the contempt of court rules.

 

If you want to find out whats going on over in court, then James Doleman @jamesdoleman on twitter is your man

Its not worth bothering with anyone else, as they probably won’t even be there, and even if they are, they’ll leave out most of the good bits.

Now, with the fitieth anniversary of the greatest footballing achievement ever just around the corner, we are going to try to look at it diffeently from everyone else.

Though not as differently as this German newspaper, whuch triumphed the victory of football over anti football

Yet if the player listed in the Celtic line up had indeed been playing for Celtic, the headline could well have been reversed…

Yesterdays caption competition

Image result for brendan Rodgers Don Robertson

yesterdays winning entry was won by a man who clearly took the time to study body language and facial expressions before confidently predicting the word already forming on the mouth of the Celtic manager

Cartvale88 April 17, 2017 at 2:32 pm · Edit · Reply

Caption
Prick!

Today, is it possible that Jock Stein is using less industrial language ?

 

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corktim
6 years ago

thought I saw it all with bobby madden against the huns but sundays penalty decision was unbelievable,thats why I fear for sunday.

mike
6 years ago

Brilliant Ralphy, ma heed is spinning around like a Chuckie doll, trying to work camera angles out.
Ricky Fulton for Head of Referees, luv it, luv it.
Still trying to get my eyes dulled at the sight of the luvley Sussana this morning, I have sent her doon the auld Traditional Tic. top, finished of with sheer black panties, my fantasy, wooft or the luvly Michelle Keegan similarly attired, wooft wooft. Get a grip mahn.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

I hope there is no one near you when your heads spinning round…..take some cunts eye oot 🙂

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Hahaha.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Lol

Monti
6 years ago

Cartvale, i hope you are going to do the honourable thing and hand over the caption trophy to me?
After all your caption was based on my “humour”!

If you don’t your ‘win’ will be tainted!

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Strip the title, it must be rescinded and void and declared illegal.

mike
6 years ago

Not being on twitter it would be helpful if someone could advise the diary what is happening during the trial, within the constraints of legality of course.
The very fact that the head of referees is not introducing video inspection is in itself vey telling, but surely the club could insist or bring pressure to bear with other clubs to ensure that the SFA DO bring it in.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Mike,
You don’t have to be on Twitter m8, just get someone to type in James Doleman for you….you should be able to pick up snippets from there 🙂

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

😉

Monti
6 years ago

Andybhoy/Bgbhoy,
Mon lads, want to see you on here!!

bgbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

haha I don’t get on as much with this new job in Belfast, in Glasgow it was a skyve!! not here!!!

ibrox…

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  bgbhoy

Bgbhoy,
I might be away with the family that weekend, will let you know before the end of this week though!

bgbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

no bother, it might be better arranging a wee end of season bash….

ralph is 1 out of 3 for his attendance, just saying

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  bgbhoy

True m8, i think someone bashed his back door in….or was it his boot?
Car issues….cough 🙂

Monti
6 years ago

Charlie Saiz? …….take your time 🙂

mike
6 years ago

Desimond is filling in for them, with witty comments, statistics and fitba. talk, HELP.;-)

6 years ago
Reply to  mike

aye aye and don’t think I didn’t see your “new Sewer for London paid for by Scottish money” fishing line yesterday :-0

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Desimond

Would that be fishing for Salmond and Sturgeon? 😉

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Desimond

I thought London was a sewer?

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

So it is, I posted because it resonated with my Govanshites post of the day before, but, but but, someone thought I meant something else entirely 🙂

Pensionerbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

mike,

Now that sweet girl in number 10 has called a GE we will all be blue and well conserved from June onward. They still believe they can rule the waves and tell the world what to do. I think we are in for an economic tsunami and this lot down here think they can do a Canute and simply sit on their beaches and send back the waves. Myself? As a headin’ fer dem thar hills, pardner!

I think you might find Salmond and Sturgeon are a lot tastier than the pish than comes down the Westminster sewers

H H

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Desimond

Pensionerbhoy, When I was much younger, I admired Len Murray, the former leader of the TUC. The next thing I knew, he was Baron Murray of Epping Forest, a complete betrayal.
Ever since I have had a deep suspicion of ALL politicians, no matter their party, gender race, or religion.
Instead I focus on my family and have and will continue to do everything I can to help them, provided they are Republicans.:-)

6 years ago

Me thinks Big Johann says quite a lot there, which is well done considering his tongue firmly in his cheek.

“to the utmost of his ability”..very good big man, I see what you did there!

I found the original transcript in the bin:

You look at it.
The officials do everything they can to make everything impossible. It is just the way it is.

I am quite sure the Celtic camp will be thinking that a referee was going to make a decision go against you and it will blow up your chances of winning a Treble.

If it happens it happens but Brendan Rodgers’ or the players’ are going out to play the game and even if they win the game on Sunday they still have another game to go.

He is a referee. I don’t know how he has been refereeing but he is there and has been appointed to do his job and I am sure he will do his job to the utmost of his ability.”

Pensionerbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  Desimond

Desi,

If he had his tongue in his cheek, I hope he bit it good and hard till the blood came. We have been bled for nearly a century – and some of us dinnae hae nae teeth any mair!

Did you get that statement from Fleming? Sounds just like a reply that would flush out of the Hampden sewer – even worse than London’s.

H H

Jim kearney
6 years ago

Hello Don Infantino here over at FIFA(freemasons in football association)
We wont be needing you or any of your countrymen to oficiate at the next world cup and probably the one after that as well there are some spaces in the ladies section as fannies like you could come in handy sorry brother.

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago

CONspiracy Ralph! Robertson is being fast tracked as a “ref”.Certainly shows plenty of promise(direct quote from Grandmaster).Big Jock(R.I.P.),correct,hands in pockets,no feckin handshakes!! KTF

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago

CONspiracy Ralph! Robertson is being fast tracked as a “ref”.Certainly shows plenty of promise(direct quote from Grandmaster).Big Jock(R.I.P.)correct,hands in pockets,no feckin handshakes!! KTF

D'Fhinnein Mick
6 years ago

CAPTION

Three a yeez? Never enough.

I’ll take yeez awaw and aw yer pals in that end.

I’m The Man,and don’t yoooooz forget that!

chris
6 years ago

Caption….good guy good guy, wank!

Joe Blow
6 years ago

The cheatingest bastard of them all, R H Davidson, Airdrie. Taking the lead from yesterday’s winner, Jock’s got to be about to spit out “Cunt”. And he’d be right on the money. He was a piece of shit and then some. Didn’t even try to hide it and gave Aberdeen the cup in 1970 because he could and get away with it.

mike
6 years ago

Pensionerbhoy, we are still awaiting yesterday’s post, come oan ffs.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

His haunds are all sticky with melted werthers….cough.

Pensionerbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti,

Your just a sook!

H H

The Cha
6 years ago

Remember a few weeks ago and the ref couldn’t give a penalty as he didn’t see it but now gives it in anticipation of contact? It’s almost as if they make it up as they go along.

Caption: “But Mr Stein, you said your team would play so well to make the referee irrelevant”.

Jock: “### ####### ##### ###### ####”

mike
6 years ago

Fantasy fiba. for ref’s play the man and no the ball, anticipate, anticipate, the Dalek’s are coming.

See that John Terry’s available, will he team up with Saidy Janko for (cough) fitba?

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

John Terry is a leader, would love to see him in the Hoops for one season!

bgbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

correct

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

ok pal, yes pal, three bags full pal, yer right pal, so am are pal, take yer dug for a walk pal, or shall I just lick your lolly pal.;-)

Bgbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Hahahaha

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Bgbhoy

Hope you and the family are good Bgbhoy, keep well and don’t let the bassa’s get you down. H H.

jrw
6 years ago

I think Jock said to Davidson after the 1970 Final ‘Your father would have been proud of you today’ – an allusion to dodgy ref with masonic leanings!

As to what to do about the never ending litany of incompetence (I’m being momentarily charitable here), Celtic must now insist that the SPF/SFA make use of video refs. And we have cameras now at all games. There can simply be no logical reason to object as it would benefit all teams; for example Aberdeen lost out on second place one season when in the last game a goal was allowed to stand when it clearly shouldn’t have. I suppose the fly in the ointment with this proposal is that it assumes that the SPFL and SFA act logically. But even refs themselves ought to welcome such a system as it would help them to their jobs properly. Linesmen (I won’t call them assistant refs) also need to be instructed and trained to be proactive. I’ve lost count the number of times I have seen the North Stand touchline linesmen look to the ref to see what he has decided before raising his flag. For all the good that they do, there might as well be garden gnomes put in their place.

henkesdreadlocks
6 years ago
Reply to  jrw

That was said to Davie Slyme.

Monti
6 years ago

Good to see you on m8!

Mike Bhoyle
6 years ago

Why don’t the Scottish Clubs TELL the fuckin’ SFA that they want video evidence introduced ?
Ah’m fuckin’ fed up wi ‘Celtic’s silence on so many things.
These bastards are playing us for mugs.
When you watch Holt’s tackle and compare it to Broony…its a joke.
Oh and btw don’t forget Miller’s early assault in the game…conveniently edited out of Sportscene’s footage.
And for my money certain Sevco players looked ” on a high ” that day…Watch them on Sunday.

franko
6 years ago

We’re all assuming the video ref isn’t useless or corrupt…..

Cartvale88
6 years ago

Caption
Now you’ve made me go for ten in a row
Would have happened except for his serious car crash, it aged him dramatically.
Monti I could offer you an EBT maybes?
The cheating by the denizens has been going on since the primordial slime they rose from.
The Celtic Foorball Club should now take a stance, raising concerns about their players welfare, and it affecting the finances of the club. They have accepted this crap for years, in the days of the Kelly’s they did not want to rock the boat. Now they are big enough in the football world to make noises.
I also appreciated BR intimating that there was a list of bad decisions against Celtic this season.
Regarding the Billy boys club, week after week their edits are incredible as they slaver over sevco, totally agree Mike

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Cartvale88

Cartvale,
I wouldn’t accept an ebt m8……

Pensionerbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti,

Not even a Werthers Original one?

H H

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Pensionerbhoy

I prefer Bon Bons 🙂

MattyBhoy
6 years ago

“The three of yez are pricks!”

Cartvale88
6 years ago

yor better than all the cheating dross that did Monti, thought it was a good take on your daily humour.
HH

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Cartvale88

Cheers m8!
See our Craig Whyte’s trial is delayed?

jimmybee
6 years ago

Caption: Tell all yer brothers this, no matter how hard you and them try,you cant stop us. Glasgow is green and white ya Masonic orange Hun loving Tory bastards.

mike
6 years ago

And we thought that we were just being paranoid, but in truth we were not paranoid enough.
Big Jock said playing the huns was just another 2 points but behind the green door he was actually saying,————–
Get tore into those DOB and don’t come back in getting beat, or I’ll be waiting for you.
Jock Stein a man of courage and great Managerial skill’s. RIP big man, a big man in every respect.
On Sunday we must invoke the memories of Big Jock, wee Bertie, Davy Hay and Tommy Burns. and GIRUT.

George Lazenbhoy
6 years ago

Big jock saying. Shut it! Or I’ll hit you so hard the guy at the back of queue will be knocked out.

5TB
6 years ago

Caption;

‘That’s right son. A World Wide Footballing Legend. You? A comic singer down your lodge’.

6 years ago

Using language he learnt from his time working as a miner, Big Jock is saying “dash it all, you boundahs! You blinking-well flipping made an honest mistake, old chaps! It’s a Jolly poor show!”.

Pensionerbhoy
6 years ago

Ralph,

Yesterday I responded to a request by Monti to say something about the issues arising out of Sunday’s game. For fear of “The General’s” uncompromising reprisals I did so with all the verbosity I could muster. He awoke the word dragon in me and by the time I had it under control, I had written a sizeable tome – a phrase meaning “over the top” – nothing to do with commands from Monti. However, it would appear it did not sit well with either yourself, Desi or that biased monitor and was never posted. But, here’s the rub, I find it is as relevant to today’s Diary as it was yesterday’s and, given the refereeing issue is a poisoned sword piercing the very souls of our tolerant support, I am going to be brazen and re-post it today. With luck, a fair wind and perhaps some Easter kindness, it will come up.

Following every word you write – AVIDLY!!!

Caption: “You want to know the difference, Davidson? I was down the pits. You are the pits”.

H H

Pensionerbhoy
6 years ago

Ralph,

I did a bit of editing but not very much.

Ralph,

It was a question of simply sitting back and enjoying all the comments today or risking being scarred for life by Monti. So, after shitting myself for a few minutes at the prospect of defying “The Godfather” of ETims, I decided it was better to waste a few moments writing some of my familiar pish. Now I have Monti’s vocabulary out of the way, I will give you my very personal and not very sagacious thoughts.

Can I begin by saying that, even considering the multitude of unfathomable refereeing decisions I have witnessed over my many years, yesterday’s two were up among the most ridiculous I have ever witnessed and, from the point of view of the rules of the game, are completely inexplicable. The jury will probably always be out on whether they are the result of incompetence or part of an agenda either pro one club or anti another. Even with Specsavers’ blue-tinted spectacle lenses, a blind man could not have failed to see the chasm between Eric and the “diver”. What made it worse was the fact the dive was obviously well practiced even if graded as despicable. As for the red card, I would only refer you to the tackle from O’Brien early in the game – I cannot remember on whom – which could very well have been rightly punished with a red card given his feet were well off the ground when he hit the Celtic player. The referee gave a foul only, with no other punishment, not even a yellow. Comparing these two incidents – and the many others involving this referee which have been highlighted on several sites – can only lead one to conclude there is incompetence on the referee’s part or to suspect there are different rules for Celtic players.

However, having made these points and assuring everyone I am fully on the side of all of you, Brendan, Kieran and Scott, I have to conclude, if I am being honest, Scott was his own worst enemy. Consider how long I have been following Celtic and you might understand why I just knew what would happen when Scott made that tackle. I have seen it happen so many times. First, the referee was determined to get revenge on Broonie for his somewhat vociferous challenges to the penalty decision. It was written in every look in his eyes he could now “get him back”. Secondly, the blatant threatening reactions of the County players, many of whom should have been punished for violent conduct the way they pushed and threatened Celtic players, especially Broonie, gave him that wee excuse to take his hand from his hip pocket for the yellow – the pictures show that was his original intention – to his shirt pocket for the red. So, you see, reprehensible as the decision was, it was simply not the time for any Celtic player, but especially Scott Brown, to make any kind of questionable challenge.

This brings me to another point. I read many on here and elsewhere asking for our players to be more aggressive and to retaliate. I can assure you, it has never ever paid off for Celtic players. To do so only gives referees the excuse they are looking for to penalise us in the harshest way possible. If they do not, they risk, nay are almost certain to end up like Jim Callaghan, suspended and on the spoil heap, never to be heard of again. To believe otherwise, I would venture to say, is naive in the extreme. Only concrete proof prevents me from saying it is a systematic and biased strategy to undermine our performances and potential results. So, given this restriction on preciseness, I will allege it is part of an agenda.

Believe me again when I state categorically there is little anyone, including the club, can do about it in the present climate. For all our hullaballoo in social media or elsewhere, nothing, not one single iota has changed. In fact, it is very possible we have driven our enemies deeper into self-protectionism (since writing this, I have seen the statements from ex-referees and Fleming, which I think only strengthen my argument). I am told – mike will know better than me – rats are not a threat to humans unless cornered. Now, a good Christian man like me, especially at this time of peace and good will – it can be used, and is indeed needed, for both Christmas and Easter if not all year round, Ralph – would be most reluctant to refer to anyone in animal much less rodent terms, so I leave each and every one of you to your own interpretations. No matter how you feel about referees, referee authorities and football authorities in Scotland, they still hold sway and not only silence those in football who dare question them, but are very likely to impose what I consider extremely questionable punishments on them. Perhaps revelations may come soon from the various legal actions about to get under way, Ashley, Whyte et al, which just might alter the status quo. Even better would be positive reactions from UEFA to Res 12. But that organisation is itself corrupt and no one can be really certain what stance it might take on anything. Though this may sound like pissing in the wind, I do believe that wind will not always blow in the one direction. It is another story, however, if I will be around to see such a change in the Scottish football weather. What a mess a change in wind direction will make – “Hurricane Tim”!!

Speaking of Europe – I include England in this for the moment, despite Brexit or any other empirical behaviour of Britannia and her waves – please look closely at the refereeing there. Although I only see highlights of the games, refereeing incidents, unlike the football itself, are one-ofs that are not affected by not seeing the whole match, unlike player performances. Besides, they are often scrutinised to the nth degree by presenters and pundits with at least a semblance of neutrality, unlike in Bonnie Scotia. I have drawn the conclusion over many years that European referees are actually no more competent than Scottish ones. I have seen as many “howlers” in the PL, Bundesliga and most other European leagues as in Scottish football. The question remains, however, are they as biased? I think they can be but for very varied reasons, very different from Scottish ones. Anyone who watched Barcelona’s lauded comeback against PSG will understand my argument. Close examination over the years shows many of the top clubs receiving what appeared to be favourable decisions by referees. I have also seen Celtic at the end of some shocking decisions in Europe too, some of which have cost us games. Then there is the question of intimidation. It is not quite so blatant today but, at one time, it was as plain as the nose on your face, referees afraid to give decisions against home teams because of intimidation by players, club officials or threats from crowds. Some must remember the Rapid Vienna fiasco at Celtic Park in December 1984 when players and officials ran onto the pitch and openly threatened the referee and forced him to refuse Celtic a blatant penalty and all the repercussions that followed. Anyone who can remember the relatively unpunished violence towards our players by Athletico Madrid in 1974 when Italian football held sway in Europe will understand my meaning. Or, who can misinterpret the refereeing in all three games against Racing which culminated in the fiasco in Montevideo? And, finally, there is the now proven existence of bribery and corruption among referees on the continent and in European competitions over a number of years. Who is to say it is not happening still? UEFA?? So, in conclusion, would we be better off with non-Scottish referees? I think so, on the whole. But my main reason would not be their competence but their potential freedom from any agendas and from bias, especially in favour of a particular team. That in itself could make one hell of a difference.

Caption: “I smell something and it’s not my fart”

H H

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  Pensionerbhoy

great article pb

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Pensionerbhoy

PB,
That must have took you about three fucking hours to write that….taking into consideration every three minutes you unwrap another werthers and every 5 mins, go for a pish 🙂

portpower
6 years ago
Reply to  Pensionerbhoy

Not all learned make good within association.

Demarcation…

Pensionerbhoy
6 years ago

Ralph,

It is not working – AGAIN!!! I might just take my talents to John James if this keeps up 🙂

H H

Mike Bhoyle
6 years ago
Reply to  Pensionerbhoy

Hope you’ve got plenty money..
He’s got the begging bowl out…again !!

charlie
6 years ago

we want …what do we want …..pentionerbhoys post NOW

Pensionerbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie

charlie,

So, it’s you that’s nicking my love letters, ya bass!!

H H

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  Pensionerbhoy

pb naw ime no the moderator if a wis ide win the caption every day and mike the fermer would get knobae the week every week and twice oan a sunday he he

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie

only kiddin mike afore ye get the gun oot

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie

Och yer just a wee tease;-)

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie

mike yer lucky there are nae windaes oan the trains anymer cause a wis gonny lassoo a couple ae your lambs oan the wae by

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie

Oh there you are…where the fuck have you been, did you get huckled at the weekend?

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

visiting inlaws in inverness so took a wee break jeest got back this mornin aint glesga grand

jimmybee
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie

Nice alibi

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

he he

charlie
6 years ago

caption big jock says wind yer neck in hun or ile take yer fuckin heid aff

charlie
6 years ago

monti efter the gemme was drinkin wae ross county fans even they knew the ref was a fuckin cheat …..i was askin them wot they thought about the zombies one of them said thier grandwains will be ross county fans ha ha

SteveNaive
6 years ago

Monti,
On Boyata yesterday, I was sure I had seem him perform Dua, the supplication prayer when about to start games ( I know Izzy does it) I tried to check this out but couldn’t verify it This is as it should be. When has anyone’s religion had a bearing on how or whom they play for…oh wait !
Just an extra, anyone think Eric should have done better for their first ?

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  SteveNaive

Stevie,
Naw m8….Boyata was pointing to the sky to show everyone where the ball will go when he tries to trap it.

Tex
6 years ago
Reply to  SteveNaive

Sreve ,

Forrest should have closed down the player who crossed for their first goal,he covered back well then stood 5 or 6 yards away allowing an easy cross.

Tex
6 years ago
Reply to  Tex

Sorry Steve not Sreve.

The real anton rogan
6 years ago

Caption:

Jock-‘why are you and that twat of a linesman doing an I’m a little tea pot impersonation’?

jimmybee
6 years ago

Caption: Go tell them, tell them all,10 in a row is coming, and even you lot won’t stop us. For I have built the foundation,my lions have roared the loudest,and those that come after me,will continue to follow in my footsteps,as I watch over them from above. Fear us, for we are the truth and the light of Scottish Football.
No matter how hard you try,to beat us,you can’t and never will stop us.
So enjoy your little victories when you get them,your cheating decisions,that might cost us a cup or two,but remember this, we will win the war.

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

hail hail jimmybee

SteveNaive
6 years ago

Inspiring stuff Jimmybee, Well written.

mike
6 years ago

Delectations for Sunday.
The back four? yes siree boab. Picks itself.
Lustig, Boyata, Sumanovic, Tierny.

Middle three from, Brown, Biton, Armstrong, Rogic, Eboue.
Brendan likes his wee surprise.

Front three from Roberts, lock picker Sunday past, more direct
Forrest, pace to spare, links better with Lustig.
Dembelle, hun skelper, physical, drags defenders away.
Griff. plays on the shooder, shoots from further oot.
Sinky, he’s playing anyway.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Shoosh can you hear it? The silence of the hams. That’s cos they are kinackered, working out, building up there stamina, pecks inawe geeing themselves up for Sunday.
Celebrate Mass and then, let the fun begin.

jimmybee
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Mike, I think he’s going to a back 3 m8. If he does this would be my pick
Gordon
Lustig Boyata Jozo
Gamboa Rwb Tierney LWB
Broony def midfielder
Roberts Armstrong Sinclair
Dembele.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Boyata?

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Jimmybee,
I think Brendan will go 4-4-1-1

Gordon

Lustig
Simunovic
Sviatchenko
Tierney

Forrest
Armstrong
Brown
Sinclair

Rogic

Dembele

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

I would concur but replace Sviat with Boyata, Sviat has been poor of late, he lacks the aerial ability of Boyata.

jimmybee
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Eric has no pace either Boyata if fit will play sorry Monti

jimmybee
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

I think if he plays that formation Monti it would be Boyata instead of Eric,and Roberts instead of Rogic. I don’t think big Tom is fit enough yet.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Jimmybee,
Agree on the Roberts/Rogic one, but Boyata isn’t better than Sviatchenko imo.
HH

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Sorry jimmy but I would be very suprised if he went with a back three, he has tried it out twice before mibbee three times and each time opposition Managers have taken advantage of it, imo we do not have good enough central defenders to utilse it properly, but we will find out on Sunday.
He can use one at the back for me as long as we win.

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

No goalie Mike,confidence is to be commended.Boyata as backie-in,just to annoy Monti,erudition personified.

mike
6 years ago

EBT holder, pish talker extrodenair Neil McCann cann its being reported is the new Dundee Manager, well jimmy ma cricket, jock ma strap and shiver ma timbers help ma boab.
It canny be true kin it? Run that by me again, you employ Paul Hartley, sell his best players, sack him and then employ midden pus, tell me its no true, please.
Whit will Daphne, Soapy Souter, Pa, maw and oor Willie think aboot that? are they daft, mad or aff there heeds?
Naw they are American, can. He must be cheap. or has Hector been chappin his doorraymedoah, doah.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Shut yer pus!

Ken

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Even better,he’s offered EBTs to Tanner and Walker to be his assistants!

Stevie D
6 years ago

I don’t share everybody’s optimism that video evidence would improve things one iota. These so-called pundits we’ve got can talk you through slow-motion replays and describe things your eyes tell you just aren’t happening. And then there’s the “reliability” of the technology; Jean Charles de Menezes? The camera only works when it suits the authorities. Personally I’d rather they never conveniently sacked that bastard Dallas before he could be properly investigated for altering match reports, shutting up match officials, etc, etc,etc.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Stevie D

What the fuck are you on about?

JoeKSG
6 years ago

Youse three are penises

charlie
6 years ago
Cartvale88
6 years ago

Jimmybee almost Gettysburgesk, pure class.
HH

BondiBrian
6 years ago

On Sunday we need ti be a couple of goals up – preferably afore halftime. If its a draw by 80 minutes then a dread ti think whut ‘honest mistakes’ will unfold.

Anyhoo…..MON THE HOOPS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jimmybee
6 years ago

Bayern fans must be feeling cheated tonight. Unlike us though they don’t suffer it as much,or have organisations which influence our game here against them on such a greater scale.
A red card which was never one,a goal given but should have been offside, turned the game in favour of Real Madrid.
Honestly how longer is football going to stay in the dark ages,when it comes to video technology. Instead of having two numpties behind the goal,who never give a decision any way get a guy looking at the video screens, Seconds it takes, Can I give a pen as I believe the player was fouled, yes or no. Simple and within seconds the right decision. I believe the player was fouled but not 100% can you give me help with this. Yes he was fouled no he dived,again seconds it would take.
You have to change your decision Number 7 was in an off side position when collecting the pass, no goal.
With the fans hearing this and the refs getting the decisions right football is the winner. Does the authority’s want football to be the winner.?

6 years ago

Brassneck McLeish stating RainJurz have to stop Celtic doing 10 In A Row By Hok or By Crook.And said so at his Job Interview with the Sevco Board.Now as far as im concerned,Going on Past Illegal Activities at Castle Turd.They,ll attempt anything and Everything to Stop the Mighty Green n White Juggernaut,That Includes there Masonic Sisters over at SFA and As For the Referees,Well need i say anymore.SCOTTISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION IS A MASONIC DRIVEN LODGE OF INBRED CRETINS!!!

6 years ago

Brassneck McLeish.By hook or By Crook Sevco have to Stop Celtic Doing 10 In A Row.Wont be the first or last time That Turd Club Have Cheated.GLASGOW CELTIC!!!PROUD TO BE A TIM!!!

Rab Wallace
6 years ago

Caption “three fuckin stooges”

mike
6 years ago

ABC EBT, oh ABC EBT ABC EBT now.

Come on everybody do the dance,
shed your tax preen and prance,
take your money from Hector, he’s nae chance,
oh ABC EBT, ABC EBT now,
ride a sheep shag a cow,
defraud the tax man any how,
dinny bother causing a row,
oh ABC EBT, ABC EBT,
The auld rugged boss.
he disny like you or give a toss.
he like lamb couldny give a toss,
oh ABC EBT, ABC EBT.

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