Charlie Richmond has claimed that Willie Collum got it RIGHT when he booked Andy Halliday three minutes into yesterday’s Scottish Cup semi-final between Celtic and Sevco!
After Myles Beerman had knocked the Celtic winger off his stride Halliday came in with a wild uncontrolled lunge that was clearly aimed more at the player than the ball.
Fortunately Roberts had checked his run and played the ball through to Callum McGregor as the former Bradford utility man dived into action.
After allowing advantage to be played Collum raised a yellow card without speaking to Halliday with other challenges with only slightly less intent following in on Roberts.
Excusing his former colleague in the Record today Richmond explained: “Willie might have been anticipating a busier day when he was forced to reach into his top pocket after just three minutes.
“And nobody could argue with his booking for Andy Halliday. Referees don’t want to rush for their cards in Old Firm games but Willie had to show a yellow for Halliday’s lunge on Patrick Roberts.
“Sky Sports pundit Andy Walker reckoned it could have been a red but not for me. And Willie also played a good advantage before going back to caution Halliday who knew he had to stop Roberts and there was no attempt to play the ball.
“Some people say you are making a rod for your own back by booking someone so early but Willie was sending out a message to show he wouldn’t settle for that kind of play.
“That early caution actually had an effect on the game because the players knew what was acceptable and if they kept fouling like that then they would risk being reduced to nine or 10 men.”
The Halliday incident has brought worldwide amusement on social media as fans outside of Scotland look on in amazement at what is allowed to go on in the game.
One week a player gets a penalty for an outrageous dive with no one near him, the next a talented young player has to take evasive action to avoid a career ending ‘tackle’ with just a distant yellow card handed out.
With Richmond justifying that decision it’s little wonder that the standard of refereeing is declining at the same rate as skillfull players are being driven out of the game.
