Bobby Madden has denied having an Ibrox season ticket but ducked away from declaring that he ever supported ‘one of two clubs’.
The East Kilbride based referee took part in a pre-recorded interview with Radio Clyde that covered a wide range of topics but carefully avoided the regular claim on social media that he regularly attended matches at Ibrox on a local supporters bus.
Ninety per cent of those interested in football in East Kilbride have an allegiance to Celtic or the clubs from Ibrox but apart from denying being a season ticket holder it was an issue that Madden was keen to avoid discussing.
The Sun reported:
We apply ourselves to try and get as much out of the game as we can, so why would we show any benefit to one team? Would it make them win one match? Get a point or three points? What is that going to do for my career?
“Nobody is going to go down that road because football in this area the majority of people support two teams and you are going to get people who cast aspersions over what team you supported, what school you went to. You can’t control that.
“What is frustrating is people who know me know I worked in a warehouse in Bellshill for twelve years, everyone in that warehouse knows me, knows I ran and then I played football, three matches each weekend.
“I didn’t have time to be a season ticket holder at any particular club, whatever allegations may suggest.
“And what’s frustrating is when these people might make a comment on social media to try and support these ridiculous allegations. That’s frustrating.”
Perhaps if Bobby came out an explained how his interest in football watching and supporting developed in his youth he would have less frustrations about social media.
During his first Glasgow derby in March 2017 he allowed brutal attacks on Stuart Armstrong and Patrick Roberts by Kenny Miller and Jason Holt go without issuing any cards.
In the closing minutes Leigh Griffiths was chopped down by Clint Hill as he prepared to shoot from 15 yards out but Madden refused to give a penalty or red card the veteran defender.
During his interview Madden praised John Beaton’s performances during the December Glasgow derby which saw Alfredo Morelos escape punishment for attacks on Scott Brown, Ryan Christie and Tony Ralston.
Hard to work out this storyhttps://t.co/SYM41ee0wy
— Joe McHugh (@videocelts) May 1, 2019