Why there must be no more Alan Muir

Yesterday’s performance by Alan Muir in the Motherwell v Celtic match plunged new depths.

Having been closely involved, or not involved, in the Josh Meekings handball incident at Hampden last season, in most circumstances you’d expect him to be extra vigilant for penalty incidents, certainly handball.

The introduction of video evidence is under debate just now but has nothing to do with yesterday’s incidents at Fir Park.

After Hampden last season and yesterday’s display it is quite clear that Muir shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near any match of significance.

In the highly unlikely scenario that Celtic lose the title on goal difference yesterday’s refereeing performance will be recalled.

Muir, Steven McLean and assistant Frank Connor were badly at fault at Hampden with their failings having an immediate impact on the result. If just one of them had did their job competently Meekings would have been sent off and Celtic given the chance to go two goals in front against ten men with a cup final place against Falkirk looking likely.

The day after that match Celtic issued a statement looking for clarity on what had happened with the snipers quick to point out the failings of the team rather than deal with how three top officials missed an incident seen clearly by 90% of the supporters in the stadium.

Just because Celtic took full points from Motherwell the penalty incidents shouldn’t be overlooked. If Aberdeen had won at Ross County on Friday night and Motherwell snatched an equaliser Celtic would be trailing Derek McInnes’ side by three points.

While some supporters might attempt to claim bias on the part of Muir there is a much more obvious answer that has plenty of evidence. Muir isn’t a very good referee, simple as that.

When acting as an additional assistant he didn’t see Meekings punch clear Leigh Griffiths’ header.

As a referee in a good viewing position he didn’t feel that Kieran Kennedy took the legs away from Scott Brown, ten minutes later he never noticed Kennedy’s hand push the ball away from Nadir Ciftci from a Kris Commons cut-back.

Even eternal apologists like Kenny Clark and Stuart Dougal would struggle to excuse Muir from that charge sheet.

Dropping Muir down to League Two or the Lowland League for the rest of the season would send out the clearest message possible that he doesn’t have the ability to be involved at the top of the game.

If he loves his football and enjoys his role in the game he’ll be happy to be involved. If he takes the huff like Steve Conroy did in 2010 he will be no loss to the game. There are plenty of younger referees waiting for the chance to step up and take charge of the top fixtures.

Across the country there are many football people that would like to be involved in refereeing, it’s a lucrative and rewarding job but seeing the same faces putting in substandard performances on a regular basis must be disheartening.

Demoting Muir should be the start of a process, a review of how he has gone so far in the game would also be helpful.

There may be some damaged egos in the process but if a basic level of refereeing competency can be achieved there will be little call for video replays and suspicions cast over the mindset of officials.

Most supporters will accept marginal decisions have to go one way or the other. There was nothing marginal about the decisions missed by Muir yesterday, he shouldn’t be given another chance to spoil another top tier fixture.

Whether the SFA make a statement on the issue or do it on the quiet, allowing Muir near another high profile game would be a massive error, other younger referees deserve their chance.