The incredible pattern of penalty kicks awarded to the club from Ibrox

As virtually everyone knows there are lies, damned lies and statistics. 

The weekend stats reveal that the top two clubs in the Premiership were both awarded penalties but behind those facts there is far more important detail, detail that confirms the pattern of the season. 

When Don Robertson pointed to the spot at Celtic Park the hoops were already 3-0 up with the goal from Giorgos Giakoumakis only of academic interest. Earlier, with Celtic just 1-0 in front Robertson denied Celtic a far more clear-cut penalty claim. 

At Dens Park it was a very different story when Bobby Madden decided to point to the penalty spot, picking up on Jordan McGhee pulling Alfredo Morelos’ jersey after the Ibrox striker had pulled and pushed his opponent for a few seconds. 

When the chips are down James Tavernier can expect to take a penalty, when Celtic are comfortably in front they are far more likely to be awarded a penalty than when the match is tight. 

At the Celtic AGM in November Ian Bankier claimed that the club is deeply concerned about refereeing issues.