Honest mistakes? Classic Willie Collum decisions

Uncertainty is the only certainty around when Willie Collum is in charge of any match. 

Groomed by Hugh Dallas in the Lanarkshire Referee Association the school teacher was fast tracked through the ranks for reasons that weren’t related to his ability to apply the Laws of the Game. 

Anyone requiring proof of his interpretation of the Laws only has to look up his first Glasgow derby in October 2010. With his back to play he pointed to the penalty spot when Kirk Broadfoot decided to fall to the ground. 

Since then little has changed, Collum also has the incredible knack of obstructing play by getting too close to play. Most matches will see the game have to be restarted after striking the Lanarkshire based official. 

The fixture above was a classic example of how Collum applies the laws. The first penalty was awarded in near identical circumstances to one that he had overlooked featuring Kieran Tierney in the Betfred Cup semi-final against Hearts at Murrayfield two months earlier. 

The second penalty is beyond a joke, Graeme Shinnie’s dive and handball is pathetic, whether he deserves pity or a yellow card is up for debate- what he didn’t deserve was a penalty. 

Fortunately Celtic won that match 4-3 despite conceding penalties in the 24th and 83rd minutes, hopefully on Sunday the hoops don’t have to go that extra mile to overcome honest mistakes from the match referee.