After Rangers draw to Aberdeen, Kevin Clancy’s shocking performance was referred to the SFA for further investigation after the whistler made mistake, after mistake in a display that was miles from what should be accepted in the Premiership.
Now, to be clear, the referees in Scotland need help, for a start, they need to be full-time so that they are afforded the best opportunity to improve their decision making – the problems aren’t just confined to ourselves, every club in the country has issues with them, some more than others though.
Willie Collum, who’s name draws more than a few sighs from supporters of teams who have the misfortune of having him officiate their games, is known for his ability to make calls that are miles away from what actually happened and Rangers match against Hearts was no different.
Calvin Bassey was booked for simply winning a tackle and being bigger built than his opponent, his foot wasn’t high and his studs weren’t showing, in fact, how he won the challenge is how kids are being taught – stay on your feet and block.
Yellow Card for no reason.
Bassey @RangersFC played the ball there. A player going down doesn’t mean a foul @ScottishFA ! pic.twitter.com/f3Xtdi3RXw— NaeBull (@NaeBull) February 6, 2022
Then there was Leon Balogun who, after cleanly clearing the ball up the line for Rangers to start a counter attack saw his name go into Collum’s book because he had the audacity to slide into Liam Boyce who was nowhere near the ball and couldn’t get out the way quick enough.
Yellow Card for no reason no 2!
Balogun @RangersFC played the ball there.
Willie Collum, another ref @ScottishFA from a CelticFC supporting family ! pic.twitter.com/LXlcUXeMcJ— NaeBull (@NaeBull) February 6, 2022
The problem with these decisions is that it was the Rangers players first “offences” and Collum only pulled the play back when he saw Hearts players rolling around on the ground, it also left us with half of our defence sitting on yellow cards, why they didn’t target that side of the park is beyond me, especially Barry McKay.
Penalty @RangersFC !
RangersFC refused stonewaller!!
Willie Collum @ScottishFA ignores clear foul as Kent breaks into Hearts 18 yard box. pic.twitter.com/XRYzc977oM
— NaeBull (@NaeBull) February 6, 2022
Other than that there was just the usual stonewall penalty that he missed, you shouldn’t spend 90 minutes worrying that the ref is going to do something stupid but it’s every week, they will always make mistakes but they are working with one hand tied behind their backs just now and it needs to be sorted – there’s simply too much at stake, as one ref famously told us.