Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Rangers v Celtic - Ibrox, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - January 2, 2021 Celtic's Nir Bitton is shown a red card by referee Bobby Madden REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
Once again Bobby Madden turned in some baffling statistics during Celtic’s goal-less draw with Livingston.
At the start of the month he managed to award 27 fouls against the hoops away to Aberdeen despite Ange Postecoglou’s side having 61% possession, just 10 fouls were given against Aberdeen.
Celtic were way off form yesterday and rarely looked like scoring, not even when they were awarded a penalty kick in stoppage time.
There were a number of strange decisions throughout the match, in the first half Nicky Devlin received two minutes of treatment on the park, one minute was added by Madden.
The most striking stat to emerge was that Celtic had 85% possession but matched Livingston foul for foul with 10 awarded against each side.
Giving a very generous 60 minutes of actual play that equates to Celtic being in possession for 51 minutes.
A Celtic player was fouled every five minutes. With just nine minutes of possession Livingston players were fouled every minute that they were on the ball. Effectively Celtic’s boot boys were fouling their opponents five times more often.
The SFA has selected 16 referees to take charge of Premiership matches this season, Madden has had three of Celtic’s four matches to date.
Specsavers sponsor Scotland’s referees.
Lets not be clutching at straws looking to blame Madden for this one. We all know what he is but that was’ collective balls up from the manager and players. Sometimes you have to accept full responsibility for your own shortcomings.
EDITOR: That is acknowledged, it doesn’t excuse Madden’s interpretation of a foul depending on the jersey or his inability to accurately record two minutes of treatment on the park alongside a variety of time-wasting tactics.
I’ve stated before the Celtic board are more the problem.
Referees in Scotland won’t change they’ll have to be forced to change. Our board have not got the bottle to fight whilst the money rolls in.
One thing about sevco they stand up for themselves wheather right or wrong.
We’ve a boardroom full of Tories and Old Firm fans.
The thing that annoys me about Madden is the way he positions himself in a game.
Celtic were poor on Saturday, that’s a given but when you are up against a packed defence, the refs position can make the situation worse.
Maddens position consistently closes down attacking space. Its subtle and infuriating
Bobby Madden Or should we all say BROTHER Bobby what chance do Celtic have against this referee Celtic should be making a massive stance against all these referees from the Larkhall area,they even paint the lamp posts red white and blue.
Madden was Madden, being Madden.! Just a D.O.B. once again refereeing out of the free mason/ orange order Manual for free maso / orange order members. ! Yes just a D.O.B. ,from East Kilbride, making sure his membership in these organisation, are “up to date” ,with free drink flowing just the same as Beaton in the crown bar Bellshill! What a way to live your life. Cheatig at every turn to make a living. .!!! MIDDENS are what they are, and from whence they came.! Gutter rats of the lowest quality.!!
Surely he should be banned from refereeing future Celtic games..everyone knows he is anti Celtic..some of his decisions on Saturday only went on to prove it…I believe he is in charge of the New Year Celtic v Sevco..god help us…