SFA overturn another Collum red card

The SFA have ruled against Willie Collum and upheld Callum Paterson’s appeal against his sending off against Hamilton last Saturday.

Scotland’s leading referee was within five yards of the incident and showed no hesitation in flashing a red card at the defender.

That incident proved to be the turning point in the match with Hamilton coming back from 2-1 down to with 3-2 after Paterson’s 80th minute red card.

After the game Robbie Neilson made some very strong allegations about Collum but has so far escaped censure from the SFA for questioning the ability of the referee.

Neilson, Craig Levein and Patterson all attended the appeal hearing at Hampden yesterday although it’s unclear if Collum was present.

Speaking to the Evening News after the red card was reduced to yellow Neilson said: “I’ve spoken to Callum and he’s over it. It’s part and parcel of football and we just have to deal with it. I’ve got no issue with him playing at all tomorrow, he’ll be absolutely fine.”

Despite speculation that Neilson would be charged over his comments about Collum the Hearts boss has yet to receive a Notice of Complaint from the SFA.

Last season Collum suffered the embarrassment of having red cards to Kenny McLean and Stephen McManus in successive games overturned but appears to remain among the elite group of referees chosen to handle top tier matches.

Discussing the incident involving Patterson SFA chief Stewart Regan said: “Our referees are of a very high standard but they make mistakes, that’s how it is. I think at times that it [a refereeing controversy] can be unduly focused on, perhaps as a deflection tactic. I don’t see the same amount of coverage when players or coaches make mistakes. It’s all about the refereeing decision.”

In Celtic’s first four league matches of the season Collum was in charge of the games against Ross County and Dundee United.