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The red card lottery

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red cardIt’ll be red card lottery tonight at New Douglas Park as Craig Thomson takes charge of the Hamilton v Celtic Premiership clash.

Dragging back strikers eight yards from goal could result in a yellow card, the slightest contact 15 yards from goal with the ball running through to the goalkeeper could result in a red card. You’d be better off playing bingo than guessing refereeing decisions!

Like his colleague Willie Collum, Thomson has had an erratic season leaving managers and players puzzled by his application of the laws.

In his most recent Celtic appointment Efe Ambrose was red carded 13 minutes into the League Cup semi final against Ross County as Alex Schalk fell dramatically to the ground.

Four months earlier the same referee decided that Andy Consodine grabbing Leigh Griffiths eight yards from goal didn’t prevent a clear goal scoring opportunity, Griffiths has scored 32 times this season.

After red carding Ambrose at Hampden Thomson allowed Ross County’s second goal to stand despite Craig Gordon being bear-hugged inside the six yard box.

After the match the Celtic keeper said: “It is absolutely incredible that was allowed to stand. Schalk has grabbed me from behind, with two arms round my waist, and dragged me to the front post.

It looked like something off their training ground. You grab their goalkeeper and drag him to the front post, we’ll deliver it to the back. Fortunately for Ross County, the officials have either not seen it or ignored it.

I try to be as calm as possible, and if I ever have to speak to the officials, I try to speak nicely to them but it was absolutely unforgivable that he didn’t notice that.

I felt so incensed – and I still am – that he failed to notice the foul on me.

It can’t be allowed. You can’t do that otherwise I’m standing in the right half of the goal and save the second header.

If you are allowed to rugby tackle the goalkeeper and play on, then that’s a different game to what I’m used to.”

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