There wasn’t much to be impressed by in Euan Anderson’s handling of the Celtic v Motherwell match on Sunday. Even something as simple as a short corner seemed to be beyond the understanding of the referee.
One incident involving Tom Rogic and Bevis Mugabe summed up Anderson’s day. With the Australian finding a pocket of space and about to get into his stride the defender crudely stepped into his path to body-check, instantly bringing the move to an end while sending a shudder through an opponent.
Typical of the referee he spent time giving Mugabe a quiet word, Motherwell players got back into position and Celtic had to rebuild from a free kick inside their own half.
Those sort of incidents infuriate players and fans, play is halted and a precedent is set. The message is out there that players basically get a free hit on an opponent with players like Rogic warned that they won’t be getting the protection they deserve from the Laws of the Game.
Over the course of 90 minutes Celtic enjoyed 71% possession yet managed to commit 14 fouls while just 10 fouls were given against Motherwell. It seems to be an increasingly common situation in Celtic’s domestic fixtures.
On Wednesday night Alan Muir will be in charge of Celtic’s match away to Ross County, Anderson will be at Ibrox for the visit of St Johnstone.
Another odd bit of refereeing yesterday, on 99 out of 100 occasions this would be a yellow card? I’m all for letting the game flow but come on Ref eh? pic.twitter.com/Fv4e28c8Hk
— Lisbon Lion (@tirnaog_09) December 13, 2021
That looked a painful dead leg tackle.
— Martin (@Martin06760198) December 13, 2021
It was a cynical foul, we were breaking on them as they’d committed too many players forward, it’s a stonewall Yellow card, by far the worst refereeing performance i’ve seen in years, for time wasting alone he could have booked 2/3 of them
— williams deadly oar (@OarDeadly) December 13, 2021
if rogic gets his pass away johnston is in on goal……clear yellow
— Jack Sullivan ? (@langerbhoy73) December 13, 2021
Couldn’t believe that wasn’t a yellow at the time. Referee way out of his depth.
— Mark Murphy ?? (@Markyjig) December 13, 2021
It’s the residual effects of these incidents not being carded.Ref sets a standard that allows hard fouls. Players continue kicking players until carded. Less chance of red cards more chance of injuries. Usually disadvantages the teams with more skill.
— magee (@Bhoys4life) December 13, 2021
Same boy does a big overzealous slide tackle 2 minutes later when we’re attacking. A tackle he wouldn’t have done if he had been booked.
— The Riff 3.0 (@TheRiff117) December 13, 2021
What’s odder is the fact @BBCSportScot sportscene highlights missed them all
— thecelts1967 (@GmThecelts1967) December 13, 2021
Same player fouled Turnbull in the 2nd half, had a go at him and Taylor off the ball and still no card. Anderson’s decisions yesterday were baffling and infuriating!
— Dave fae The Renton (@DaveTheWiserTim) December 13, 2021