After the previous defeat at Ibrox Celtic went public requesting an explanation over why attacks on Scott Brown, Ryan Christie and Tony Ralston went unpunished.
That request was ignored without any follow up from the club, today it was Brown again who was the victim of violence condoned by the Kevin Clancy.
Two players standing in the penalty area, twenty yards from a stationary ball when one decides to throw an elbow towards the head of his opponent.
Either Clancy didn’t see it or it’s a red card. After a season of baffling and dangerous decision making in Scottish football it was no surprise that the referee opted to play it safe with a yellow knowing that the worst that could possibly happen would be another statement from Celtic as the incident is ignored and he remains on the gravy train of top domestic appointments and regular jaunts with UEFA.
Back in January Celtic stated:
Celtic is not the only club this season to raise concerns regarding the standard of officiating at matches in Scotland, concerns which have also been shared by many commentators on the game.
In order to fully understand what is going on, Celtic, our supporters, Scottish clubs and the general Scottish football public need transparency in these matters, and we therefore call on the Scottish FA to allow the referee, John Beaton, to explain these decisions publicly as well as any match officials involved in other similar circumstances.
In the meantime, we have requested a meeting with Scottish FA Chief Executive, Ian Maxwell, and the Association’s Head of Refereeing.
Beaton was duly back in business last week for the game against Aberdeen without any explanation over the attacks on Ralston, Brown or Christie.
Clancy’s action today was hardly a surprise, in November he spoke to Dolly Menga after the Livingston forward head butted Christie, on that occasion the SFA stepped in with a retrospective two match suspension.
The toll of constant attacks has cost Celtic Kieran Tierney in the second half of the season, Ryan Christie’s season ended with a horrendous facial injury at Hampden in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup.
After the March Glasgow derby Celtic were fined £7,500 for having their players and in particular their captain attacked after the final whistle. With no appeal against that decision more sanctions can be expected in similar circumstances.
With Clancy, Beaton and others not prepared to apply the laws of the game there will be more Celtic casualties, fortunately Brown recovered from today’s attack and was able to complete the game.
Until John Fleming and the SFA refereeing department are called to account for their actions the Celtic casualties are only going to continue.
