HAMILTON, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 28: Head of Referee Operations Willie Collum during a William Hill Championship match between Hamilton Academical and Raith Rovers at the ZLX Stadium, on January 28, 2025, in Hamilton, Scotland. (Photo by Roddy Scott/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Under the leadership of Willie Collum Scottish referees produced a weekend of drama at the top of the SPFL.
Hearts won away to Dundee with Kevin Clancy producing his usual share of drama with his detached handling of the match.
Nick Walsh and David Dickinson produced the performances expected of them, justifying their appointments by Collum.
THE COLLUM CLONES
All football fans welcomed the introduction of the eight second rule, brought about by FIFA last summer to reduce time wasting.
Goalkeeper could spend 30-60 seconds on the ball. Falling dramatically to the ground, picking themselves up, sorting their kit, looking around, anything to break up the game.
Against Celtic Dave Richards collected an over hit pass from Kieran Tierney. Daizen Maeda walked towards him from 20 yards away.
After a few seconds the Dundee United keeper panicked. He held onto the ball beyond eight seconds, beyond 10 seconds.
Richards wasn’t the only one to panic, from the centre circle Walsh panicked. He knows the Laws of the Game.
Walsh knew that Celtic should be awarded a corner for the time wasting of Richards. Walsh panicked, blew his whistle, as Maeda turned to see why Richards placed the ball and quickly took a free kick.
Celtic had 78% possession on Saturday. Walsh produced a free kick count of 12-5 against the dominant team.
Collum will continue to provide Walsh with top fixtures.
People genuinely think Maeda…. Walking, 15 yards away from the goalie, is stopping him kicking it ?? this is 8 seconds after he picked the ball up. https://t.co/vIk3MIkIxP pic.twitter.com/NkSpMTfZzi
— ?? ? (@p_bov1) January 11, 2026
THE DICKINSON FAMILY
In the course of five weeks Dickinson has refereed Danny Rohl’s team three times. That has allowed the extended Dickinson family to watch their favourite team and a family member at the same time.
David hasn’t disappointed. In three tight matches penalty decisions have all gone the same way.
Dundee United and Motherwell were both denied, yesterday Aberdeen were the victims.
With 15 minutes to go and leading 1-0 Djeidi Gassama cut into the Aberdeen penalty box. In the spirit of Ryan Kent he ran into the leg of Nickyy Devlin.
Dickinson didn’t hesitate to point to the penalty spot. It was Tavpen time as the watching Dickinson family celebrated.
The Ibrox captain scored. Job done, three points and down the road.
Back in the dressing room Dickinson could review the messaging on his Whatsapp group chats.
Collum is keen to promote and push Dickinson, a cup final and Glasgow Derby are the plans over the next 18 months.
No words https://t.co/bktH9d4k9n pic.twitter.com/nT3GjYKxiy
— Champions67 (@Champions_67) January 11, 2026
No player can challenge or harass a goalkeeper when he has control of the ball in his hands.
The ref ruled that the keeper was challenged or harassed within the 8 seconds. Maeda did not harass, challenge the keeper or prevent the keeper from distributing the ball in the 8 seconds allowed or even longer. Corner to Celtic.
One for Diazen. Goal Disallowed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKY2mxB-aXg
When the Tangerines ran down-field in anticipation of a long kick, Maeda was put off-side and possibly
he was before that.
Could no effort to get on-side be the Ref’s reason for the penalty to the keeper?. Was DM off-side before the 8 seconds was reached. Likely.
How is he off-side if the ball is in front of him
Daniel Thanks. I am clearly wrong.. The Club should be asking for the referee’s ruling or from whomever does that.
Siting costly beside Big Dougie’s lad…
“Gie’s a few quid offa ra new motor son and I’ll gie ya The Renfrew Prince of Wales lad any time ya want a game reffed by him” !
Sitting COSILY that should be and not costly !