GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 07: Referee John Beaton and Willie Collum during a cinch Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium, on April 07, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Motherwell are up against the odds far more than Jens Berthel Askou realises tonight.
The Motherwell boss got a taste of it at Ibrox in December when David Dickinson was master of ceremonies.
Tonight the baton switches to Steven McLean, only a complete fool would bet against the Pattern of Assistance continuing.
For good measure John Beaton will be switching from the Crown Bar in Bellshill along to VAR HQ at Clydesdale House. Willie Collum will be by his side just in case.
Every fan in Scottish football knows the script, what is going on, the purpose, the target.
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— Bun Beag Brian (@BunbegB) February 10, 2026
Those stats are incredible.
The sort that used to emerge in the seventies and eighties from eastern Europe to ensure the desired outcome.
Oh how we laughed. As the state, army or police team came from nowhere to win a title.
MOTHERWELL- AGAINST ALL ODDS
In a normal country the media would be all over these ‘quirky stats’.
They’d wonder why the brother of a former Rangers player, McLean, is involved in their matches.
They’d highlight how Nick Walsh teaches at the partner school of the Murray Park starlets from Monday to Friday.
A quick look at Beaton’s history tells you what he is. David Dickinson’s family is the definition of staunch.
Collum knows all of these issues and continues to give those referees a disproportionate number of matches involving their favourite club.
VAR officials Greg Aitken and Andrew Dallas are cut from the same cloth.
Tavernier’ stats are what you’d expect from a top striker at a top club for a decade.
The former Wigan Athletic man is none of the above.
During 11 years of mediocrity at Ibrox there hasn’t been a single transfer enquiry.
No SPFL club has raised a single complaint about refereeing issues this season.
In 2015 Celtic wrote to the SFA for clarity on the decision by McLean not to award them a penalty and send off Josh Meekings in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Inverness Caley Thistle. There was no follow up. A year later McLean was rewarded by being appointed to referee the Scottish Cup Final.
In January 2019 Celtic wrote to the SFA calling for greater transparency after Beaton had refused to book Alfredo Morelos despite three physical assaults at Ibrox.
After tea and biscuits for Peter Lawwell with Ian Maxwell at Hampden and a reminder of the July 2012 paperwork the matter was quickly resolved.
Anyone But Celtic – moves into overdrive. ?
Watch ludicrous decisions on Wednesday night. ?
Here’s why….
The game is bent. @ScottishFA https://t.co/QJ8csL42JA pic.twitter.com/beUQhX2Sg6— CelticSuperDuper (@SouperCeltic) February 10, 2026
Just another reason we need a changed board.
Not one of them with a set of bawz, or is it the 5 way agreement that holds them back.
And big Gannon and the no1 deputy Gav from the daily Record were at severe pains to defend those same referees and VAR lapdogs with reputations and good standing in the game . No no they urged ! Why would these honourable officials tarnish their character by being corrupt ? Well , that’s what happens when struggling tabloid scoops wear welder’s goggles and ear plugs ? Totally blind to the truth …cue for a song ! These two should be sent to Oldham for their ignorance .
A Collection of Very Honourable Men?????
Seems every time there is something very serious at stake, the pattern of assistance rears its ugly head.
Stopping 10IAR was a classic example.
Now we have automatic qualification to the CL at stake for Sevco and once again the Tavpen anomaly has infected the game.
There is simply no way either Hearts or ourselves win this league this season.
The only way Sevco don’t win it is if they suddenly collapse so badly they can’t stay within 1 goal of whoever they play.
As long as they keep tabs, the MiB does the rest.
In previous circumstances when we have been points ahead, we simply just needed to keep winning, from a position of catch up, we have no chance, and neither do Hearts once Sevco get within a point.
Motherwell tonight will see exactly what operation Sevco to the CL looks like, as will Hearts at the weekend.
Our game is so bent here it gives me the boke.