Stephen McGowan has accused Celtic fans of harbouring masonic plots.
It seems that when the evidence is overwhelming most reporters turn to claims of paranoia or conspiracies rather than confront issues.
After Monday’s Glasgow derby no-one was asking questions about Connor Goldson’s handball from a Carl Starfelt shot.
Filling a large space on the BBC Scotland website Tom English opted to avoid the incident, on Sky Sports News they decided not to get Dermot Gallagher’s thoughts on the handball.
Unfortunately for old media the noise on social media has been overwhelming, rather than drool over the Beale Revolution attention has been dragged back to the tag-team performance of John Beaton and Willie Collum.
In the Daily Mail McGowan writes:
On the desk of every VAR in the Glasgow control centre is a red button which grants him access to the ear-piece of the match official. The minute that button is pressed, the conversation, the rationale for every decision reached, should be available to supporters. If not instantly, then quickly afterwards.
The process and conversation around the Goldson incident prompted as much debate as the decision itself. Speculation raged as to whether Collum urged Beaton to take a second look at the flashpoint on the VAR monitor. In the absence of facts or explanation, the vacuum was filled with wild speculation.
Maybe it’s naive to think that hearing the reasons for key decisions will make much difference. Despite their team winning 14 of the last 18 domestic trophies contested in Scotland, Celtic supporters are still convinced they’re the victims of one of the most blundering masonic plots of all time.
The SFA won’t even release Hawkeye images to explain offside decisions, the prospect of releasing the chat between Collum and Beaton is non-existent. Newspapers were invited into VAR HQ before it came into use, after praising it to instructions no news outlet has questioned Ian Maxwell or Crawford Allan about the ‘inconsistencies’ thrown up.
Rather than play the conspiracy card McGowan could easily explain why the team in second place in the SPFL hasn’t conceded a penalty while the team nine points above have had five penalties go against them.
While on that issue the Mail reporter could also get an answer from Crawford Allan about why a PE teacher to the Murray Park starlets has had four matches involving the Ibrox Tribute Act, three involving their closest rivals and the first Glasgow derby match of the season.
Dismissing masonic conspiracies is far far easier than looking into the after dinner activities of Kenny Clark or explaining the reasons why Jim Farry and Hugh Dallas were exposed and left their jobs at the SFA.
I would love to see the media explain Dougiegate, Dallas sacking, Farry sacking, the penalty data in favour of rangers or the fact that 100% of refs on the after dinner speaking circuit attend Rangers events when discussing is their an anti Celtic mindset at the @ScottishFA
— 4 seasons, 12 trophies, history makers!!! (@ClarkKe01956140) January 7, 2023
How should Celtic deal with the SFA over VAR?
Quietly in the background, the Bankier way
Keep the pressure on through the Daily Record
Publish detailed complaints after every match on club website
Remember Bobby Tait and the reverend Mike McCurrie? Brian McGinley calling us fenian bastards at a rangers bash also? There’s many more. Is that paranoia? pic.twitter.com/ETWpYmcfrD
— JustAnOrdinaryBhoy (@ordinarybhoy) January 7, 2023
Would this be the Stephen McGowan whom a lot of people were saying he was ‘in the know’ and a ‘ Celtic friendly ‘ reporter last week ? A ‘go to ‘scoop and ‘trusted.’ I’d just like to reiterate what I said at the time …. He’s a Scottish Daily Mail employee…. That mob are totally anti-Celtic ! I would not trust McGowan for a nanosecond….
Editor: O** F*** friendly.
It is the lack of transparency that is the problem here, as well as lack of consistency in applying the laws of the game. The game’s authorities hide behind a wall of silence.
As your article points out, we already have evidence of such bias and conspiracy from Fergus’ time eg., Farry and Dallas.
The fucking idiots are so dumb they think it’s all right to bring in a series of masonic ex refs to justify their position. Kenny Clark FFS!
Just shows how desperate and shit scared they are of scrutiny of their shady practices.
I hope tae Fuk Charlie Mulgrew plays Fukin Basketbaw inside his 6 yd box ramorra & the Ref waves play on! Won’t Fukin happen of crse but u want Paranoia u’d NEVER have seen the like!! Knuckodraggin SCUM wid want the Ref banned fur life along wae the ENTIRE VAR Team!! Simple way tae fix this, explain ur Fukin DECISIONS ya Cheating Hun Bastards!! Go on I dare yi, I Fukin Double Dare yi!!
Var video advantage rangers