Whoever is chosen to referee Celtic’s League Cup semi-final with Sevco next month was bound to find themselves under scrutiny.
Finding a Scottish referee without a catalogue of howlers to their name is a near impossible task with ‘top whistlers’ Willie Collum and Craig Thompson both creating havoc and controversy in equal measures.
Bobby Madden’s name has emerged as the man chosen for the February 1 clash with the appointment leaked out almost a month ahead of the game.
Madden has been on the radar of Celtic fans for some time with his promotion coming despite a series of decisions that can best be described as baffling.
In February 2013 Dundee United were awarded an incredible penalty early in a match at Celtic Park- fortunately Fraser Forster saved from Jon Daly and Celtic went on to win 6-2.
A month later Madden was in charge of a relatively straightforward fixture between St Mirren and Celtic that left Neil Lennon amazed.
“That was the most appalling refereeing performance I have seen for a long, long time,” the former Celtic boss said. “I mean, you can’t get so many big decisions so wrong, it is incredible.
“For me St Mirren should have had a penalty, it is a clear handball you don’t get many more as clean-cut as that so we dodged a bullet there.
“Then I see Kayal getting wrestled into the advertising hoardings right in front of the linesman and he doesn’t give a free-kick and two seconds later, I’ve got a man sent-off for nothing and the penalty that St Mirren did get was outside the box and there is no contact.
“So I am delighted that we got a point out of it but there is no doubt that the referee’s decisions ruined what could have been potentially a good game. The sending off was ridiculous and it changed the game.”
Wanyama’s red card was overturned to a yellow.
It remains to be seen whether the SFA confirm the appointment of Madden for the Hampden clash.
CLICK HERE for Bobby’s refereeing record.
