\u201cThat was his first start, and to be out for a period of time because of something that during the game could have been taken control of by the referee is disappointing for him.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI think the referees role in any game is to be the protector of both sets of players and to make sure there\u2019s an environment there that protects players from incidents like we saw.\u00a0It wasn\u2019t just the one that caused the injury, I thought there were quite a few challenges he could have taken better control of. For me, that\u2019s one of the primary roles of any referee.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t question referee\u2019s decisions, I understand they\u2019ve got a difficult job to do. We\u2019ve had some good ones, we\u2019ve had some bad ones, but I\u2019ve never used them as an excuse.\u00a0But in terms of protection of players, that\u2019s where referees have to be vigilant, because we\u2019re told they will be at the start of every season,<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve managed in different countries, I\u2019ve managed in World Cups, and there are certain rules that have changed along the way in my 25 years of management.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n \u201cBut the one consistent factor is that we\u2019re always shown this vision of actions they deem to be premeditated or reckless. It doesn\u2019t have to be premeditated, it can just be a challenge that is reckless, and anything that endangers a player on the field should be dealt with.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI was disappointed it wasn\u2019t dealt with the other night.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Calm, even understative, he’s made his point.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What should he do next ?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Maybe the game at Tynecastle tonight is exactly what we need to show that there is a bit of steel running through the team, and it’s just very well hidden by the skills and frills on display.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n My mind goes back to the time Barry Robson clattered Christian Dailly to let a Rangers team that had bullied Celtic on the pitch on numerous occasions that it had to stop.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Is that what’s needed now ?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Does someone have to put down a marker early in the game to show that the team can play football but are no longer prepared to be assaulted at every possible opportunity.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Let’s hope so.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Although I don’t want to see Celtic dragged down to a level the players have worked so hard to get away from, sometimes a little bit of pragmatism goes a long way.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There’s no need to abandon our philosophy, just maybe adapt it slightly to show that if the referee isn’t going to protect our players, we’ll do it ourselves.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Maybe even before we find out if the refs up to his tricks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tonight is a game for the likes of Ralston, Biton, McCarthy and maybe anyone else who has maybe had enough of being booted about the park, and it will be interesting to see how the manager approaches the game.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The word is we’ll be in our change strip, which could help….<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Incidentally, it’s maybe a little unfair to accuse referee Don Robertson of not protecting players. Look at this video, and notice that he does make decisions when he feels someone has committed an offence, such as this scything attack on a Ross county player….<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Don Robertson giving a last minute penalty for this brutal tackle.<\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/j3QASIVGVa<\/a><\/p>\n — Lint (@Zeshankenzo) January 25, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n![\"Suit](\"https:\/\/i00.eu\/img\/602\/1024x1024w\/1n5q0tgz\/12293.jpg\")
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