Celtic fans were quick to turn their attention to Andrew Dallas after the 1-0 win over Dundee United.
Albian Ajeti’s late goal sealed the points but it didn’t totally distract from the woeful performance of the Lanarkshire based official.
There was no stand out controversy from Dallas but a consistent pattern of decisions that went against Celtic throughout the match.
Among the catalogue of incidents noted on Twitter were:
Three bookable fouls by Mark Connolly during the first half none of which brought about a yellow card which would have curtailed his ‘enthusiasm’ for the remainder of the match.
Connolly’s worst foul was a deliberate kick on Odsonne Edouard’s heel in full view of Dallas. After having a word no card was issued.
The Celtic striker required more than two minutes of treatment, Dallas added one minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half.
Fouls given against Scott Brown and Chris Jullien at Celtic corners, nothing more than the usual jostling could be detected from TV replays.
Callum McGregor was booked for a 50-50 challenge, his first ‘foul’ of the match.
In the second half Celtic were given a free kick around three yards from the edge of the penalty box, Dallas allowed the United wall to line up less than six yards inside the box.
United’s two bookings weren’t made until the 80th minute and stoppage time, anyone looking at the stats sees things as being fairly even.
Surely Dallas’ tactic of no yellow cards to the opposition until the last 10 or so minutes will eventuslly be called out – statistics look fair but he spends 80 mins allowing them to get away with foul after foul. Same every game.
— Celtic Underground* (@celticrumours) August 22, 2020
Scott Brown’s mystery booking for celebrating a goal, apparently shouting from a socially distant two metres at United players.
— The Cynic (@90MinuteCynic) August 22, 2020
Andrew is of course the son of Hugh who works for UEFA. In 2015 he was promoted onto the FIFA list which gave him lucrative international appointments at the relatively young age of 31, in the summer of 2019 he stepped down from his regular international trips.
That big Connolly would have to go on a rampage with a sawn off shotgun before Andrew Dallas would book him. There were 4 or 5 fouls in the first half alone. Couple of them from behind. Scandalous refereeing & can be expected throughout this season. #JustLikeHisDa
— Gavier Swaviola (@Swavinho) August 22, 2020
Andrew Dallas has been promoted beyond his ability because of nepotism. He is a bad referee. He was conned constantly today by Utd. No 5. Good old pro who knew ref was shit.
— kev sweeney (@kev_sweeney) August 22, 2020
Hard fought win today. Great mentality from Celtic to keep going until the end and a superb instinctive finish from Ajeti.
On another note, Andrew Dallas is an absolutely stinking referee. Shouldn’t be anywhere near the premiership.
— Conor Hickey (@ConorHickey93) August 22, 2020
Andrew Dallas is better at breaking up play than any midfielder
— Eugene McCabe (@EoghanMacCaba) August 22, 2020
Andrew Dallas is the worst ref in Scotland.
Shocking fact, given the ferocious competition from some of the biased contenders.— Barcelona MCP (@67Grohl) August 22, 2020
Andrew Dallas is the worst referee in the world. He should be observed and studied by aspiring referees all over the globe as “what not to do”. Makes Daniele Orsato look competent
— Joe ????????? (@themilanisti11) August 22, 2020
The most beautiful thing about that is that Andrew Dallas will go home absolutely raging.
Much better than 3 points.
— ????32???? (@sc32ie) August 22, 2020
Is that referee Andrew Dallas’ natural expression? Or does he only look aggressive and irritated when relating to #Celtic players?
— CSC Norway (@CSCNorway) August 22, 2020
Scott Brown shown a yellow card from Andrew Dallas for smiling
— yahmpy (@yahmpy) August 22, 2020