Gordon McBride and Jim McCluskey. Mentions those two names to any Celtic fan and one match comes to mind, more especially one incidence.
In January 1997 Tommy Burns took his side to Ibrox on the back of three consecutive wins, another victory would be vital in the race for the title which was all about stopping Walter Smith’s side matching Celtic’s 9-in-a-row.
With a couple of minutes to go and chasing an equaliser the ball was played into Jorge Cadete in the middle of the penalty box, instinctively he controlled the ball with his first touch then hooked the ball high into the net.
Jorge Cadete scoring at Ibrox, the linesman is presumably in line with the last defender as they’re taught to be yet still raises the flag. pic.twitter.com/DEY2vgsauk
— Lisbon Lion (@tirnaog09) May 28, 2020
Cadete had brilliantly found space, Gordan Peteric clearly playing him onside. For reasons only known to himself assistant referee McBride put his flag up, McCluskey didn’t bother consulting with him as he disallowed the goal.
In the closing minutes the home side scored a third goal, Burns was sacked before the season ended as the title again stayed at Ibrox.
More than 20 years on the injustice is crystal clear, the same type of men from the same favoured areas are still officiating at Scottish football matches but such is Celtic’s level of superiority not even honest mistakes from referees have prevented them from celebrating 9-in-a-row, again.
