Don Robertson got through his first Glasgow Derby without major media scrutiny, unlike Kevin Clancy who was Public Enemy Number 1 after the previous fixture for applying the Laws of the Game against Alfredo Morelos.
In the final of the Viaplay Cup Nick Walsh and John Beaton on VAR decided not to punish the Colombian for pushing away Aaron Mooy in the penalty box to create a yard of space to score.
When he tried that on Alastair Johnston he was caught, the goal disallowed and led by Micky Beale the life of Clancy and his family became very difficult.
Less than an hour before kick-off on Sunday Willie Collum is reported to have suffered a calf injury, pushing Robertson up from fourth official to taking charge of the game.
His leniency to attacks on Celtic players is well known. Last season within two months retrospective red cards were issued for attacks on David Turnbull and Yosuke Ideguchi that were yellow carded at the time. Kieran Tierney had previously been a regular victim.
Less than five minutes into Sunday’s game John Lundstram launched himself into a brutal attack on Yosuke Ideguchi, he knew that the way he went for the ball he could swipe through and hopefully take out his opponent.
Two weeks earlier Graeme Shinnie suffered a red card from a similar incident with Greg Aitken on VAR picking up on it, after checking the monitor Euan Anderson produced a red card.
Two minutes into his first Glasgow Derby Robertson refused to apply the Laws of the Game, he knew the consequences. He also knew that there wouldn’t be a peep of complaint from Michael Nicholson or Peter Lawwell, no leaks to Sky Sports. Steven McLean on VAR also didn’t want to know.
Lundstram was testing out Robertson as much as his opponent, the guy that has scored five times against his team since the turn of the year, twice at Hampden in February to decide the Viaplay Cup Final.
The former Sheffield United midfielder was spoken to which effectively gave him and his team-mates licence to do whatever they liked throughout the rest of the match with no prospect of a red card.
During the second half a procession of free kicks were awarded against Celtic for run of the mill contact. Everyone knows that the main goal threat from Beale’s side is to launch set-pieces into the penalty area.
Having levelled up at Hampden Robertson is now on the small group trusted by the SFA to take charge of the Glasgow Derby, a worthy successor to Bobby Madden.
??? Not to go on, but I just don’t think anyone at the @ScottishFA could provide an acceptable explanation justifying the inconsistencies here.
Lundstram on Kyogo yesterday: pic.twitter.com/7tbWtobWSH
— Ryan Cryle (@RyanCryle) May 1, 2023
?RED CARD!
Graeme Shinnie is sent off for Aberdeen after a VAR check. Correct call?? pic.twitter.com/9A1DphuLGG
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) April 14, 2023
The problem shinnie had was who the Don’s opponents were for their next game .
Answers on a postcard to
Masonsinblackrsc
Lundstram the lout’s assault on Kyogo came from the dressing room ! Take the wee man out early doors ,advantage to the tribute act ! With thick smoke in everyone’s eyes ,the snide Lundstram knew he had the ideal time to strike …. That’s the stamp of the Scouser ! No pun intended …
Less than five minutes into Sunday’s game John Lundstram launched himself into a brutal attack on Yosuke Ideguchi, he knew that the way he went for the ball he could swipe through and hopefully take out his opponent.
That is the wording from the story, did I miss something on who Lundstram did the thuggery on, I seen him brutalised Kyogo not Yosuke ???????