The image of a Celtic supporter would likely pop up when you searched up the meaning of “brass neck” in a dictionary, especially in light of some of the officiating calls that have gone against Rangers in this season’s Old Firm derbies.
Penalty calls and a disallowed goal have all favoured the Parkhead side which has made the narrow margin defeats even harder to take.
Rangers manager Philippe Clement would probably have wanted a couple of more players back in his squad, but at Ibrox on Sunday, he will be hoping that the Old Firm doesn’t hinge on what we have seen already this campaign.
Rangers haven’t had any Old Firm favours from referees this year
Starting with the beginning of the end for Michael Beale.
The first derby of the season and with the score at 0-0.
Rangers had started well and when Cyriel Dessers caught Gustaf Lagerbielke napping to play in Kemar Roofe, it looked as if a turner had finally been turned.
The goal was controversially disallowed and when Kyogo capitalised on a mistake from the Light Blues defence, the points, and Beale’s fate, were sealed.
At the time, Neil McCann wasn’t pleased with the call:
“It is anticipated that there will be a slow motion from an alternate perspective in which Dessers moves ahead, and the law indicates that it is a foul if a player’s forward motion is stopped during a kick.” I disagree because he is putting himself in the way of the ball and the man. He’s physically removed Lagerbielke from the game, and I believe the goal stands.
“Lagerbielke has kicked Dessers just by positioning himself ahead.” That occurs twenty times every game, and whether the law is followed or not, I don’t think that should have been called a foul; in my view, that was a fair goal.
Charlie Mulgrew conceded that if Dessers had failed, Rangers would have been given a free kick to resolve the issue.
Although it is very obvious that defenders cannot kick the ball, Lagerbielke was only changing direction when he broke the regulation.
McCann stated that nearly every tackle is illegal if this one is as well.
The contentious derby before the Christmas break is up next.
The question isn’t so much how Alistair Johnston got away with a flagrant handball as it is how.
Willie Collum ought to have sent Nick Walsh to rewatch the event on the monitor before looking for offside in the build up, according to later remarks made by the SFA.
Rather, Celtic was awarded a goal kick.
In addition, Johston fouled Dessers in a manner akin to the way the striker was sent out at Ibrox. And that’s not even taking into account the fact that the Celtic right defender appeared to be spared a second yellow card when he elbowed a Rangers player in the face, an event that was witnessed by the referee.
On Sky Sports referee watch, Dermot Gallagher declared him to be one extremely fortunate youngster.
“There are a few problems. Alistair Johnston rode his luck on Saturday as he was lucky to avoid giving up a penalty. Given the intensity of the game, he might have easily been sent off later on.
Rangers would have you believe that we were getting penalties every week and that Celtic were sending players off if they hadn’t had a single major call go their way or a refereeing error in any of the Old Firm derbies this season.
In any case, you can be sure that John Beaton’s ears will be ringing by Sunday night’s full tilt.
GET MORE NEWS ON:
