Kenny Clark has kicked off the Willie Collum Defence and Deflection operation after his shocking performance in the Falkirk-Sevco match on Saturday.
Both teams had strong grounds for complaint as the Special One of Scottish refereeing finishes the year in the manner he started it.
In January Kenny McLean and Stephen McManus successfully appealed against red cards issued by Collum, on Saturday both teams had penalties awarded against them that just didn’t happen.
Danny Wilson sent Will Vaulks crashing to the deck at least a yard outside the penalty box, late in the game the Lanarkshire referee was the only person on the ground to see Blair Alston ‘handle’ a shot inside the penalty box.
Despite his woeful track record and general coldness to the game Collum appears to be able to do no wrong as his assent continues with his Euro 2016 appointment further fueling his ego.
Collum’s defence force claim that he makes the brave decisions- ignoring the fact that he gets those calls consistently wrong. Collum makes decisions that aren’t necessary, in both of Saturday’s incidents barely a word of criticism would have been heard if neither penalty had been awarded.
When all other arguments to defend the indefensible are used up it’s time to take the heat of Collum and put the blame on the players.
Right on cue Clark tells readers of his column in the Sun: “Fact is the Bairns scored their penalty and Rangers missed theirs and that’s why they lost that game — NOT because of the decisions Collum made during it.
“Championship games are arguably tougher than Premiership ones to referee, with so much at stake right now.
“Both Rangers and Hibs are desperate for any edge they can get over each other as things stand.
“They know small matters like goal difference could be crucial when it comes to the end of the season.
“So when calls do go their way they are great, and when they don’t there are howls of protest. And it is going to be like that from now until the title is decided.
“Sure, Collum will know now that Wilson’s challenge on Will Vaulks was outside the box but I can see why he thought it was inside when the incident happened at full speed.
“Warburton wanted to know if that was indeed the case then why didn’t he send Wilson off? And the answer to that is that it wasn’t a direct goalscoring opportunity.
“Vaulks was heading towards the corner of the box, he wasn’t about to pull the trigger. So I can see why Wilson was only shown a yellow.
“As for the Rangers penalty, again at full speed it is difficult to see what happened. As always in these situations it comes down to the referee’s interpretation.
“Collum thought Blair Alston had moved his arm towards the ball as he tried to get it under control. And that’s the reason he pointed to the spot once more.
“It was a dramatic end to a strange week for Collum.”
And there are bound to be more strange weeks, angry players, upset managers and frustrated supporters as the Willie Collum Show goes into 2016 with those that understand the game given the same excuses with the France 2016 held up to defend the indefensible.
God help the teams that get him in the euros.
Why that wee monstrosity is allowed into a football match let alone officiate on the field is beyond me. Worste ref I’ve ever seen and that’s saying something.hh
Never mind Collum display what about Maddens why did he allow McManus to stay after that shocking tackle on Commons???? why he allowed Motherwell licence to provoke players speak to them BUT NEVER BOOKED THEM, but quick to book Bitton, only good performance on Saturday was official on north stand side SHE got every call correct not like other senior officals of game
Was in Glasgow at the weekend and went to Ross county Partick game – young Mr Dallas did County over on two penalty decisions. I think the bottom line is they are all just plainly bad. Collum gets talked about because it is Rangers, Dallas does get a mention because it was only Ross County
“So when calls do go their way they are great, and when they don’t there are howls of protest. And it is going to be like that from now until the title is decided.” To be fair the Ibrox gaffer actually slated both penalty awards. When someone is calling you out for awarding THEM a penalty, you know there are problems.
The best ref in Scotland going to Euro championships……..it makes a mockery of the referee marking system, another SFA shambles.
I’m sure that a complaint from Rangers would normally see him sacked but that would be too embarrassing, even for the SFA, given the kudos he was getting last week for his selection to represent Scottish refs an France.
James O’Hare and Kevin O ‘ Donnell can testify to the impact of a Rangers complaint on a refs performance as both were were thrown to the lions following complaints from Ibrox.
McLean and Muir appear to have no such problems as Willie, the SFA cabal on board and on the Level have seen to that.
Did Celtic ever get a reply to their astonishing similtaneous blindness at last year’s semi final………nope, operation stop the treble complete.
Watch them getting wheeled back out this season if their input is required once again…..it’s yet another feckin scandal.
Couldn’t have been any worse than Bobby Madden against Motherwell. I saw that prick, I knew we were in for it …
fed up watching inept referee`s how they got badge is unthinkable, not really when Dallas still has his clone`s working, remember Dougie Dougie is back as adviser ffs, what worries me not a cheap from inside Park
Our referee’s should be made to declare, what secret organisations their members off.
HH