Bobby Madden has admitted he was an Ibrox regular as a kid but has claimed the Chick Young Clause that he is actually a St Mirren fan.
The lifelong Bluenose is now attempting to launch a new career in the media with fellow fan Kenny Macintyre grooming the 44-year-old for life inside BBC Scotland until the SFA can create a vacancy.
Madden’s feelings about Celtic were regularly reflected in his refereeing performances, none more so than an incredible farewell display at Hampden in last season’s Scottish Cup semi-final.
John Lundstram was given immunity to inflict damage on any Celtic player, with Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side leading in extra-time Madden upped his game with some truly ‘bizarre’ decisions to ensure that the Tribute Act limped into the final of the Scottish Cup.
With lucrative UEFA appointments at an end Madden tried his luck in England but with a merit based system to promote referees to the EPL he lasted one season before realising that membership of the Lanarkshire Refereeing Association meant nothing with Declan’s, Kieran’s and Sean’s having the same opportunities as the Robert’s, William’s, Gordon’s and Stewart’s.
??’Are you, have you ever been a Rangers fan?’ ?
We ask Bobby Madden the question everyone wants to know…?
The referee is retiring a year early after growing “frustrated” with the English system ?#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/4cfTrHMi3G
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) May 3, 2023
This has been banded about for years and I can speak openly. I was raised by my grandparents and my grandfather was a massive Rangers fan and took me to Ibrox until I was about 12 or 13, maybe.
And through ill health, I stopped going. My brother then was a St Mirren but at that point at 12/13/14 I started running. I became a junior international so I really took a limited interest in football at that stage.
When I didn’t have race I would go to Love Street at the time, I would go there with my brother who had a season ticket. So no, you hear these rumours that I’m a Mason, I’m a shareholder, I ran a supporters’ bus.
It’s very easy to create a rumour now and someone says ‘I used to work with him and…’
It gives it a degree of credibility and then you can put anything on that.
I always say I worked in a distribution centre for 12 years and everyone in that distribution centre knew that I was a runner, that in my spare weekends that I went to Love Street.
I actually sat beside some people who worked with us but when you leave very quickly it’s a post ‘I knew him, he done that.’ It’s difficult but people always try and find a way to criticise and cast aspertions.
So I did go when I was younger with my grandfather but I was never a season ticket holder or a shareholder or any of these other things.
As well as supporting the old Rangers many people in East Kilbride know of Madden’s deep hatred for Celtic. Andy Halliday is a close friend of Madden.
Rangers are my team, never hidden that. Be strange to have someone working on Sportsound that didn’t support a team.
As for Kris Boyd. I know at times he is a wind up merchant, but he talks up our game. Would he be in the Sky studio tonight if he wasn’t such a big personality?
— Kenny Macintyre (@kennymacsport) January 31, 2022
Andy Halliday & Bobby Madden #pals pic.twitter.com/CNCQf91wwF
— We Won It First ?? (@liamt67) July 31, 2021
— Good Guy Barry (@Goodguybarry) May 3, 2023
Re-writing the past… It’s a Hun thing!
Fact is, he’s not good enough. During his first game of the season both sets of fans were singing “You dont’ know what you’re doing!” Took fans in League Two less than 90 minutes to suss him out.
A nickel&dime ref helped out up here by his friends in the SFA and the media.
Found out at the lower leagues levels for impersonating a professional ref and he called it a day before been given his P45.
But not to worry Brother Bobby a nice wee cosy job is waiting for you at the BBC and the SFA combined.
It’s amazing what that tickly handshake can get you.