Watch again Bobby Madden

Despite the pre-match concerns about Bobby Madden refereeing the Celtic v Sevco match hoops fans were still outraged late into the night about the decisions made by the referee.

A few cliches need well and truly destroyed such as ‘ a referee can’t influence the outcome’ and ‘if you are good enough the referee doesn’t matter’.

Both of them are blatant lies and come from the school of thought that you don’t debate or criticise match officials because ‘these things even themselves out over the season’.

They don’t. Has anyone ever offered proof?

Madden had a nightmare but that was hardly a surprise.

With no particular flair for the game he has always looked uncomfortable refereeing matches, making decisions that defy logic comforted in the knowledge that he’ll never have to explain his decision making.

Current ‘top referees’ are much of a muchness in Scotland, they have achieved FIFA status and enjoy a fantastic second income with amazing perks and travel with little accountability. Once you are on the FIFA list everything is assured, only illness or injury will result in removal.

As ever with these matters the SFA are the clubs. Until Celtic or anyone else starts to ask questions and get explanations history will repeat itself, yesterday it was Madden, in 2015 it was Steven McLean- with those standards in place further mistakes are assured with Madden, McLean and others of their ilk continuing to get the top matches.

LEIGH GRIFFITHS/ CLINT HILL

Madden’s views on this would be priceless.

If he was unsighted he shouldn’t be near top level matches, if he saw it and thought it was a fair attempt at the ball he shouldn’t be near any top level matches.

If Madden loves the game he should drop down to the Juniors to work on his positioning and discovering what is a foul and what’s not.

KENNY MILLER/ STUART ARMSTRONG

After some very strange early decisions Miller presented Madden with the perfect opportunity to make his mark.

Unfortunately he did make his mark and gave the Sevco players licence to do as they please.

There is no debate to be had over this incident. Miller decided to launch himself, two footed at Armstrong with the Celtic player fortunate to take evasive action and avoid a career threatening injury.

Was Miller’s intent any less than Ioan Ganea in 2004?

JASON HOLT/ PATRICK ROBERTS

With the Celtic substitute ready to break forward Holt had no prospect of fairly winning the ball.

Having watched most of his team-mates get away with debatable challenges earlier the former Hearts player launched a ridiculous attack on Roberts.

With one boot taking out the Celtic winger and claiming the ball the other crunches through to ensure that Roberts stays grounded, and hopefully injured and out the match.

Madden races towards the incident and incredibly waves play on as Sevco charge into the Celtic penalty box.

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