Steven McLean will referee Saturday’s friendly between Celtic and Rennes.
The Glasgow based referee was in charge of Celtic’s Scottish Cup semi-final defeat from Inverness Caley Thistle in April where he failed to give the hoops a penalty when Josh Meekings punched a netbound header from Leigh Griffiths to safety.
Celtic lost the tie 3-2 in extra time with supporters furious at McLean refusing to give a penalty for an incident that he appeared to have a clear view of. The day after the match Celtic revealed that they had written to the SFA about the decision.
A club statement read: “Given the level of reaction from our supporters and across football, we are duty bound to seek an understanding of what actually happened.
“We have not been given any other specific explanation so far and this is simply to understand the circumstances of what went on and why such an obvious error was made.”
The SFA never made any public response to Celtic’s letter although McLean was left out of the rota for the following week’s fixtures and wasn’t involved in any top six fixtures after the split.
After the decision Ronny Deila said: “I don’t think I have to say much about that. Everybody saw what happened. Maybe we need seven referees? One on each post. Their one task is to look at what is happening in the six-yard box and on the goalline.
“You can’t blame the main referee for that. Referees make mistakes as well, but this mistake was very hard to take.
“It’s a big blow for the boys and for us. We’re very disappointed and we had control at 11 versus 11 and should have killed the game off.”
Alan Muir was the additional referee behind the goal. On Saturday McLean will be assisted by Alan Mulvanny and Stephen Mitchell.
McLean’s brother, Brian, played twice for Northern Ireland’s u-21 side before finding out that he was ineligible.
We have to assume we won’t win three points in this one.
I read somewhere that we lost more points when this guy was making honest mistakes last season than we did with all of the rest of the refs combined. Probably just a coincidence.
It is truly shocking that a man who can make so many honest mistakes in our games gets allowed near a Celtic game again in any capacity.I predict only free kicks in our own half,every time we touch them it is a foul,many bruises and knocks afterwards thanks to the”good refereeing” by this honest man selectively allowing play to go on.
The only problem for this honest man is that we have now spotted him.It doesn’t work as well for these honest men when a light is shinning on their honest mistakes. They become too much of a liability for the other honest men.
It’s a friendly. No points at stake.
Honest mistake?
I take it Joe,Celtic asked the SFA for a ref,and in their wisdom,they put HIM forward ?
Why do we not refuse,and ask for another ref ?
Will they go on strike again,if we did ?
Good,let’s do it.If our board had any guts,they should refuse this biased ref,thus making it clear,they are questioning his INTEGRITY !!
The SFA appoint officials for friendly matches, clubs have no say in it. We can’t question McLean’s integrity but we can question his ability and decision making.
He’s not very good yet continues to get high profile matches which denies other younger and better referees from improving and getting involved in more important games.
I’m questioning his integrity….he is a ch**ting H*n b***ard!
this is exactly what we have been asking for so long.
TAKE THE ROOF OFF EVERY DECISION THIS BIGOT MAKES LEST WE FORGET GOD BLESS
I wonder what Mr McLean will turn a blind eye to in that match.
LEST WE FORGET GOD BLESS
The supporters should not get involved in this, it will only make us look the bad guys. The players should refuse to shake his hand, the same way that Tom Boyd refused to shake another cheats hand. Might be worth putting a strong laxative into his half time tea, then watch him run around the pitch shiting himself. C’mon Lawwell, put the plan into action, you owe it to your supporters. HH
His incompetence and in my opinion biased decisions, are there for all to see (let’s know forget his sidekick Muir ). Celtic along with other clubs need to challenge the SFA, it’s the only way we’ll ever get a level playing field for everyone.
HH
This reprobate thought nothing of exchanging the brotherly grip with a fellow official prior to the game in full view.
He was an integral component of Operation Stop The Treble and I’m sure he’s not had to buy a pint at his ludge since.
Honest mistakes my erchie this guy is a clown and is no fan of the Celtic.
How he’s still a grade 1 ref I have no idea………..oh back up the bus a minute there’s a different criteria for promotion in Scotland and it has nothing to do with their performances on the park.
I hope he’s greeted with chants of cheat, cheat, cheat and given the treatment he deserves fro the Celtic fans.
Guess which grade one official gets to referee the hibs v sevco cup final. Should hibs bother to turn up?
How many bits will have to die?
Honest mistakes meter set to stun.