Virtually alone in the Scottish media Michael Stewart called it as he saw it at Ibrox.
While the euphoria continues among the cheerleaders desperate to celebrate any trophy arriving at Ibrox a definite downturn in form and results has been noted watching Steven Gerrard’s side.
Away to Dundee United Steven McLean decided to let Alfredo Morelos on the park after a forearm smash into Mark Connolly. The SFA offered a two match suspension, the Ibrox club agreed with Morelos not starting a match since. Still full points were taken from Dundee United in a 2-1 win.
St Mirren ended their Betfred Cup hopes, Motherwell led at Ibrox until the 72nd minute, a comfortable win at St Johnstone was followed in midweek by the visit of Hibs to Ibrox.
Ianis Hagi put the home side in front but midway through the second half his panic saw him reach up head high to boot the ball away from Joe Newell with the Hibs man feeling the full force of the incident.
In his first Ibrox appointment since September 2019 Willie Collum decided to play on, clearly fearful of another long absence from the ground that Kevin Kyle, Ian Black and Nicky Kranjcar all graced.
Anyone surprised? pic.twitter.com/iXS8Xc615e
— TheMaestro1888 (@TheMaestro1888) December 26, 2020
Anybody else this is a red/penalty! pic.twitter.com/Mn3K4czABy
— Michael (@weeseabee) December 26, 2020
On Wednesday Gerrard takes his side back to Paisley, with Alan Muir in charge there isn’t much chance of a repeat of the Betfred Cup upset. Saturday’s Glasgow derby will be refereed by Bobby Madden who doesn’t kid anyone in East Kilbride on as he goes to incredible lengths to create a good guy image. Lanarkshire match officials tend to have similar traits to their mentor Hugh Dallas.