Consistency is one of the basic demands of frustrated managers when it comes to refereeing decisions.
Whether it’s bookings for after goal celebrations, kicking the ball away or any other hot topic managers look for consistent interpretations of the laws of the game.
Sunday’s Rangers-Dundee United match again highlighted the inconsistencies of referees with Dougie McDonald at the centre of attention.
Two weeks earlier he showed an impressive turn of pace to send off Scott Brown. Bobbing and weaving between players as he reached for his red card, ignoring the vantage point of his assistant referee McDonald waved the red card at Brown while overlooking Kyle Lafferty’s role in the clash.
To no-one’s surprise McDonald refused to consider Celtic’s appeal against the decision.
As Dundee United equalised against Rangers on Sunday it was difficult to believe that we were watching the same referee.
This time with a perfect view of the corner coming in from the right McDonald watches Allan McGregor frustratingly swing an arm then a leg out at United goalscorer Mihael Kovacevic after the ball hits the net.
Seeing the incident McDonald steps forward to take action but then quickly retreats for reasons best known to himself.
Maybe he had second thoughts, unlike the Brown/Lafferty incident, maybe he thought a goal was sufficient punishment, maybe he’ll contact the SFA Review Panel to look at things again. Maybe he won’t.
Why the SFA decided to send McDonald back to Ibrox two weeks after the Rangers-Celtic game requires explanation.
The referee was always gong to be under the spotlight regardless of the outcome of the league clash, putting him in charge of a cup tie and possible replay was madness.
Clearly the pressure has been getting to McDonald whose double penalty award in the first half frustrated Peter Houston.
The Dundee United manager said: “I am disappointed and I just wonder if the penalties would have been given at the other end. I hope they would have been.”
Those sentiments seemed quite similar to those of Gus MacPherson after losing to Rangers, on that occasion Charlie Richmonds inconsistencies.
The St Mirren boss said: “We watch games, we go to games and we see clips on the BBC and we see a different set of rules getting applied. None more so than when we’re coming here.”
Despite the criticism from the Celtic website of McDonald’s performasnce at Ibrox there has been no request for Celtic to explain themselves, similarly, nine days after questioning whether the referee was impartial Aiden McGeady hasn’t been called before the SFA.
If the SFA think that these issues will blow over they could be in for a surprise, giving McDonald three high profile Rangers matches to referee within four weeks doesn’t do anyone any favours.
I think you are in danger of tivialising Celtic's genuine grievances by attempting to cast suspicion on every minute action of the match officials. In watching this footage I cannot see how there can be anyinterpretation of any deliberate wrong-doing by the Rangers 'keeper. He merely collides with the Dundee Utd player while attempting to get to the ball and then falls to the ground.
Let it go!
If you had posted footage of the two penalty awards then that would be a different matter. Personally I have not seen either of those incidents, but I understand that they were both contentious. It would be nice to be able to make an objective judgement to see if the complaints of the United manager are justified.
I do agree that it is strange that Dougie McDonald was officiating another match at Ibrox so soon after the recent Rangers v Celtic controversy. Note that he also officiated the Rangers v St Johnstone game at Ibrox on February 3rd, where he awarded yet another contentious penalty to Rangers.
Joe,
Valid points..
But, seriously, what is the Club doing about this??
I hope and pray that Rasmussen is summoned to appear before the Review Panel…and the Club refuses to comply….
We have to make a stand , beginning now, before this gets completely out of hand.
I don't understand why the Club leaves it to the Celtic Forums to highlight all this nonsense…some Refs. are dishonest regarding Rangers and are protected by the Rangers supporting hierarchy at the SFA….we know it…Craig Levein knows it..Gus McPherson knows it…Peter Houston seems to know it…..
Why the silence??
Do you know ??
Damo…
Don't want to make a big issue of this…but Joe is correct…..
McGregor TRIED to make contact with the player AFTER the ball was in the net…and Mcdonald is standing right next to them when it happens…look again and you will see McDonald watching McGregor as the United players wheel away to celebrate.I saw it right away and waited with baited…..naw ah didnae ..I knew nothing would happen…never does.
I'm also curious to know how you saw that footage…but neither of the penalties ??
I think you must be mental. In no way does McGregor hit out at Kovacevic. If you start looking for conspiracy, you will see it everywhere. The keeper falls into Kovacevic and tries to stop himself from falling over. If you want to argue about the penalties, by all means go ahead but this is a new ridiculous low. For the record, McDonald has referee'd 3 Rangers league games this season compared with 5 each from Craig Thompson and Mike Tumilty. Also Rangers did win a 78th minute penalty in the league cup game ref'd by Mcdonald on 3rd Feb when already 2-0 up and strolling, as it happens the penalty was missed.
You'll be right then…as usual….
Cheerio then….From one who is neither…Mental/Conspiracy minded or Paranoid…….
Celtic suffer from bias…..Rangers don't……
CHECK THE FACTS ………….
As a Celtic fan who agrees this season has been ridiculous in terms of baffling, contentious decisions against Celtic and pro Rangers, I'm embarrassed by this. Absolutely ridiculous to suggest that McShagger does ANYTHING worthy of censure in that footage.
I have to agree with one of the other posters. I don't really see anything in it, McGregor looks to be carried in to him with his momentum but doesn't seem to be anything malicious. The ref does appear as though he's about to do something though and then changes his mind.
The incident highlighted isn't amongst the top twenty mistakes made this season.
It highlights the difference in behaviour from a referee.
With Brown he saw an incident from quite a distance, raced over and had his card out as soon as he reached Brown.
There was some intent from McGregor, probably mainly frustration but he swings an arm, raises a foot, virtually in front of the referee whose instinct takes him forward before just as quickly jumping away. I can't recall a referee acting like that before.