Celtic fans were almost unanimous in their criticism of Euan Anderson’s handling of today’s 1-0 win over Motherwell.
There were no major controversies from the referee but a constant pattern of awarding fouls against Celtic for the most trivial contact and a strong preference for having a quiet word rather than reaching for the yellow card for some of the brutal fouls committed by Graeme Alexander’s side.
Once again Celtic enjoyed a massive share of possession (71 v 29%) but committed more fouls (14 v 10) than their opponents. As a one off it would be interesting but now it is virtually a weekly event.
Back in August Anderson returned fairly similar figures when Celtic beat Dundee 6-0, Ange Postecoglou’s side had a 74% v 26% possession share with the foul count going 12v11 against Celtic.
Anderson’s biggest error came midway through the second half when he was caught out by Greg Taylor taking a very quick corner, David Turnbull ran over to dribble the ball into the penalty area with Anderson demanding that the corner was retaken.
On Wednesday night the schoolteacher from Clydebank will be on duty at Ibrox for the visit of St Johnstone. Alan Muir from Aberdeen will referee Ross County v Celtic.
Deserves a red card for that performance pic.twitter.com/baKFEYnZqF
— Highland__Paddy (@Highland__paddy) December 12, 2021
Horrendous performance
— williams deadly oar (@OarDeadly) December 12, 2021
Dreadful. Some utterly inexplicable calls.
— redwitch (@Redw1tch1) December 12, 2021
Couldn’t believe he stopped it for no obvious reason
— Highland__Paddy (@Highland__paddy) December 12, 2021
Truly shocking performance
— Michael Mancini (@MichaelMMancini) December 12, 2021
Another quite remarkable performance from the ref today. @CelticFC really need to be onto the sfa about this before one of our players gets seriously injured.
— FB (@frankbell1981) December 12, 2021
I think that must be one of the worst refereeing performances I’ve seen. He just totally lost it. No consistency in his decisions and just generally out of his depth. Woeful.
— Highland Paddy (@patcoyle56) December 12, 2021
I know he didn’t give any game changing decisions to Motherwell, he just got so many decisions wrong, and allowed them to be very physical
— TONY CARROLL (@papatony7) December 12, 2021
Totally inept and probably never kicked a ball in his life!!!
— Craig Henderson (@CraigHenderso19) December 12, 2021
That’s the second time that’s happened in a game this season and I’m sure we had more than 70%.
Terrible that a ref can make so many bad calls and keep getting games. They should be asked who they support and then unable to ref them and the biggest rival
— Ian Beveridge (@ianbeveridge3) December 12, 2021
Highland Paddy. I totally disagree. The ref was very consistent! He stunk from start to finish. The free kick we got which led to the goal was a clear free kick, or make no mistake, we would not have got it.
It was Callum Slattery’s seventh foul of the game!
It displays the incompetence you highlight! It took seven fouls from one player to get a yellow card.
It’s clear that with the support and direction of the SFA/SPFL they are all on a mission this season again.
The fruits of the 2 horse race model. Now ‘the rangers’ will be given preferable treatment to win the money and balance the books. Keep the old firm alive