For the second Saturday running Craig Thomson’s erratic display was one of the main talking points from today’s lunchtime SPFL showing on BT Sport.
Four Celtic players picked up bookings with little consistency about the way that Thomson handled the match.
The most bizarre booking came in the 44th minute when James Forrest’s momentum took him off the pitch after racing 40 yards to put Celtic three goals in front.
While Forrest put the brakes on when he reached the edge of the grass behind the goal Leigh Griffiths was celebrating with supporters behind the goal. Outcome a booking for Forrest!
@videocelts he is a poor referee. Saw him at a Thistle match, not playing Celtic, and he was shocking there too. He is very poor.
— James (@jamabhoy) August 20, 2016
The Celtic scorer seemed to be aware of the problem he’d have if he celebrated with fans but picked up a caution when he was more restrained than one of his team-mates.
Shortly afterwards Paul Paton committed a dreadful two footed lunge on Tom Rogic which Thomson decided was only worthy of a yellow card.
@videocelts Gives us a YC tug of a shirt, and the same to Paton who went in with a 2 footed Reckless lunge could have caused serious injury
— frank walsh (@walsh2509) August 20, 2016
Into the second half Murray Davidson was booked with Nir Bitton joining him despite the Israeli being manhandled away from the scene with Liam Craig grabbing and holding Bitton by the shirt.
Five minutes from the end Davidson caught Liam Henderson with an elbow that went unpunished with Thomson failing to take any further action or stop play until later when he noticed blood coming from a wound above Henderson’s left eye.
After the match I asked Celtic fans which decision angered them most, there was no shortage of replies.
@videocelts not stopping the game when Henderson got an elbow to the head in front of him
— mik67 (@mmckinv) August 20, 2016
@videocelts I may get sued if I was completely honest. A complete sleekit. That much I will say!
— James Gang (@JamesGang5446) August 20, 2016
@videocelts For me it’s Davidson not being shown a red. How he stayed on the park is staggering
— Me.. (@oneill_38) August 20, 2016
@videocelts To use Sutty’s word,’bottled’ it again,in not sending off Paton & Davidson.Paton should have got straight red,re Rogic ‘assault’
— Celtic Symphony (@DM8883) August 20, 2016
@videocelts Usual performance from him, shocking excuse of a referee
— Corrie Flood (@corrieflood93) August 20, 2016
@videocelts hopeless. Bookings for Forrest and Bitton were atrocious.
— View From ES2 (@viewfromes2) August 20, 2016
@videocelts He’s up and down like a whores drawers. Did you see the smile on him when he awarded the penalty?
— David Carswell (@daviecar) August 20, 2016
CLICK HERE for Roberto di Matteo puts BBC Scotland in their place.
CLICK HERE to watch James Forrest wonder goal at St Johnstone.
CLICK HERE for John Hartson’s verdict of Brendan Rodgers.
CLICK HERE for Rod Stewart’s hoopy family snap.
