It is a situation that wouldn’t come close to realisation elsewhere but in Scottish football it seems that the phrase conflict of interest doesn’t apply.
In the day job a match official can work on the fitness of players from a leading club Monday to Friday then slip on his SFA kit and be in charge of a match involving a rival club at the weekend.
Nick Walsh could easily switch his career as a PE teacher to another school without any problem but clearly the SFA and member clubs are comfortable with his dual roles.
In June 2016 East Dunbartonshire Council announced the special link up between Boclair Academy, Walsh’s current employer, and the Murray Park starlets:
Head Teacher Douglas Brown is excited to welcome the new pupils and embark on the partnership with Rangers. He added: “This is such an exciting development for the school and we cannot wait to get things underway in the new term.
“Boclair Academy is already a busy, thriving hub of activity and the addition of these young men will bring a new energy. On their initial visit they integrated very well into their year group. They were polite, engaged and enthusiastic and were a credit to themselves, their families and the Club.”
Helping Walsh out at Tynecastle yesterday was VAR specialist Steven McLean.
In 2019 former Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke made it very clear what he thought of McLean, telling the Daily Record:
I went over and congratulated him (McLean) and told him it was the worst performance I had ever seen in my career – and it is a long career.
He lost control of the game in the first half. He actually lost control of a professional football match. When we lost 2-1 to Hearts earlier in the season I mentioned the referee that night and it was Steven as well. And he didn’t control that game properly either.
I feel a little bit sorry for him. People tell me historically that he has never been particularly kind to Kilmarnock.
I think he feels the pressure of the fact that his father played so many games here. I really do.
I have mentioned it a couple of times privately but publicly I am saying now, I think it would be better for Steven and Kilmarnock if Steven doesn’t referee any more games for us. Quite simple. There are loads of referees around that can cover.
McLean does have another family connection with football, brother Brian spent five years with the old Rangers club trying to make the breakthrough but failing to impress Dick Advocaat and Alex McLeish.
Heartbroken at not making a top team appearance, and discovering that he wasn’t eligible to play for Northern Ireland despite appearing in two friendlies he moved on to play for Motherwell, Falkirk, Dundee United, Ross County and others.
In 2012 Steven McLean told the Daily Record:
Brian McLean of Dundee United is my brother so we discuss football a lot of the time. It is good for me to get a players’ perspective and I give him the referee’s take on things at the Sunday dinner table.
I’ve refereed him in reserve and youth games but not senior football. He knows he doesn’t get any favours. I once booked him and told him if he committed the same offence again I’d tell mum.
With that background McLean’s performances in Celtic matches were already showing some unusual patterns.
Appointed for the 2015 Scottish Cup semi final between Celtic and Inverness Caley Thistle he surpassed himself with the Josh Meekings handball.
Afterwards Celtic’s request for clarification about the decision was ignored, in 2016 McLean was rewarded by being put in charge of the Scottish Cup Final.
Last week in charge of Celtic’s 6-1 win over Hibs there were many strange decisions, especially a stoppage time free kick against Alexandro Bernabei, yesterday’s performance on VAR followed a very definite pattern.
In England match officials have to declare any interest that they have with a club as a fan or through employment or location.
I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it ! What is wrong with match officials having a 20 minute sit down with scoop ‘ reporters ‘ to explain in simple terms ,the reasoning behind any VAR decision at any particular domestic game ? A brand new concept ,deserves easy explanations. .,Its not quantum theories ! If they continue with their silence , people may think there’s something amiss .We can’t have that ,can we ,now ?
I’m fucking sick to the teeth with what goes on uncontested by the celtic board. When slippy was in charge of the tribute act he said what he thought of ref’s with no chance of any come backs.
I know the celtic manager would get a ban but FFS this blatant agenda against our club has to be called out. I just watched sportscene and M. Stewarts comment’s on the penalty claim that it wasn’t a penalty are farsical.
I had a hell of a lot of respect for that ginger knob and thought he spoke up against the pedo brigade (aka) BBC but mortgages have to be paid hey Michael?????
Your a rat the same as the rest of them. Anyway I see Steven pressleys gender reassignment as shelly kerr has went well apart from the voice is still the same!!!!