GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 27: Referee Don Robertson during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park, on September 27, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Chris Sutton has called out Don Robertson over his performance at Ibrox last night.
Away from the scrutiny of the TV cameras Robertson delivered the sort of performance that has become his trademark.
Since the Alex Schalk penalty for Ross County against Celtic in April 2017 Robertson has been on his way to the top of the tree in Scottish football.
UEFA will throw him some leftovers from time to time such as KF Drita against Tre Fiori in a Conference League qualifier.
Domestically Robertson is one of the most trusted officials that Willie Collum can turn to. He knows what is expected and rarely fails to deliver.
Sutton could have highlighted the second half booking for Dujon Sterling to highlight the dubious decision making of the match referee.
Instead he went for the first half penalty claim when Manny Fernandez stamped on the ankle of his opponent.
True to form Robertson didn’t want to know.
Steven McLean was on VAR duty. On Sunday he will be Assistant VAR to Andrew Dallas, highlighting the shallow talent pool that Willie Collum selects from.
If that’s not a pen ?? then wtf is a machete attack ? pic.twitter.com/l7mJg4sTLT
— CJ (@CRYPT0J4CKER) September 10, 2026
THE CONTINUED FAILINGS OF DON ROBERTSON ARE REWARDED
Robertson’s shift at Ibrox last night came on the back of his VAR role at the St Mirren v Celtic match on Saturday.
Two ‘goals’ from Celtic were disallowed in the most questionable of circumstances.
During the first half an inconclusive still image was used to justify the decision to disallow a ‘goal’ from Camilo Duran.
A clearer image showing the point of contact when Yang Hyun-jun struck the ball was available and ignored.
During the first half Robertson also chose to ignore a two handed push on Liam Scales as he attempted to head a corner.
The biggest issue of all came in stoppage time when Shim Mheuka appeared to score his first goal. Neither the referee or his assistant saw anything wrong with Mkeuka’s effort.
Robertson was unable to contradict that view with evidence. No VAR lines were available.
Determined to get his way Robertson ordered a pitch-side review of an inconclusive still image. Naturally match referee Ryan Lee agreed with his senior colleague.
Last night in the St Johnstone v Celtic match the SFA returned to sticking with the on-field decision when faced with a decision that VAR couldn’t provide clear evidence on.
Nick Walsh will referee Sunday’s League Cup tie at Ibrox. He has emerged from the same system that produced Robertson and McLean.
And then Collum has to appoint officials for the September 20 Derby match with John Beaton expected to be in charge.
Has Bobby Madden commented on the Fernandez stamp on the St Mirren player inside the box which all officials ignored completely denying a stonewall penalty for St Mirren ? He was quick to praise the decision for the Celtic goal being disallowed but I’ve not heard him comment on theRangers good luck decision at all ? Surely not selective criticism from an ex referee ? Not in wee Scotland ! I would have thought that now Madden is no longer a referee of matches that he might be asked by a scoop from the SMSM which team he supports ? That would be a nice sit down over a cup of Joe and chewing the fat with a tabloid scoop for example and telling the world which is his team in an official capacity. A ‘world exclusive ! ‘ A nice little earner for young Roberto into the bargain ? Don’t hold your breath ….
Off the topic here,but I see that Martinjail aka (Pablo Escobar)is back at Livi.
The drugs will be out his system now,so they can test him and his players.
Unless and until more of our supporters grow the balls to create effective, radical protest then this will continue. Ditto the new Celtic Fans Collective.
We know who sits on the plc board and what they are. The question is WHY do we allow it?
Millions led by a handful of morons albeit wealthy morons. WHY?
My childhood was dominated, to an extent, by probably well-meaning catholics who really didn’t have a clue. “Oh don’t do anything to cause trouble”, regardless of circumstances. “It’s not worth it, it’ll just upset the apple-cart” regardless of circumstances.
I had the very dubious ‘privilege’ of a catholic family and a catholic education, until aged about 8 I started to question the whole, rancid lot of it. That questioning was the birth of a Socialist Rebel. All casing of letters is intentional to separate the chaff from the wheat.
If any catholic finds this unpalatable then he/she doesn’t “know the history”.
Not much Celtic can do about St.Mirren being robbed of a penalty v Sevco at Liebrox but they have plenty other think to be screaming from the rooftops about involving themselves…
Three incidents in Three Fu**in days for starters !