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Heavily conflicted- referee Nick Walsh and his Ibrox connections

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After his performance at Ibrox on Saturday Nick Walsh is back in his day job, working alongside the Ibrox stars of tomorrow.

Through the week the SFA referee is a PE teacher at Boclair Academy in Bearsden, a few short miles from the state-of-the-art training facilities at Murray Park.

Over the last five years Boclair Academy has linked up with the football club along the road to combine the sporting and educational needs of aspiring players.

Walsh will be right in the centre of that as a PE teacher, in daily contact, building up relationships to improve the fitness of the pupils at the club who are aiming to break into the first team plans at Ibrox.

In July 2016 Glasgow World reported:

From August 24 the best young players aged 11 to 15 will move their education to top performing school Boclair Academy in Bearsden – which will complement their football education at The Rangers Football Centre.

Councillor Maureen Henry, convener of the education committee, said: “This is fantastic news for the school and for East Dunbartonshire. For these boys who are showing footballing talent, the partnership offers a flexible curriculum meaning they can maintain their training regime and receive additional teaching support so schoolwork doesn’t suffer.

“I’m delighted that we have been able to attract Rangers Football Club to join up with one of our schools and I am sure that it will reap rewards for everyone involved. The partnership will be reviewed after a year with a view to including S4 in future. I look forward to welcoming our new pupils and wish them every success.”

Walsh could easily take himself out of this conflict with a transfer to another school.

His record for matches involving Steven Gerrard’s side has come into the spotlight since Sunday, as well as Ryan Porteous, earlier this year Callum McGregor got a first half red card at Ibrox. Last December Michael O’Halloran was also sent off against Steven Gerrard’s side by Walsh. Three of his last four red cards have been for opponents of the Ibrox side.

Walsh is one of the rising stars at the SFA, last season he was given his first Glasgow derby, sending off McGregor then ended the season at Hampden in charge of the Scottish Cup Final.

CLICK HERE for Ibrox announcement on their Boclair Academy partnership.

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0 comments

  • Kyogos Dream Team says:

    Dallas 4 pen Jnr disappears & Morphs intae Walsh! They’re aw the same, if u want tae slither up the ladder get in wae the Sevco gang!!

    • Jim Reilly says:

      Only one team in Scotland has had four penalties awarded to them in a game twice.
      Glasgow Rangers. Apparently it was one short of a world record.

  • James Burns says:

    Can’t read these posts. Swamped with ads.

  • John S says:

    Certain ‘qualifications’ are required to become a ‘Rangers’ referee.

  • Jim Reilly says:

    Not only Walsh but many other Scottish referees actively officiating in the SPL have links to Glasgow Rangers. Last season Rangers were awarded ten penalties with zero against and no men sent off. Whilst their closest rivals Celtic had five penalties against them and three men sent off. Two of them At Rangers ground Ibrox.
    This is a common theme in Scottish football where the ibrox club get far more than their share of positive decisions in crunch games like the one against top side Hibs on Sunday.
    The numbers do not lie ! Scottish football is corrupt to the core.

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