Referee Union calls out managers for manipulating ‘fan ire’

The Scottish Senior Football Referees’ Association has accused managers of trying to turn ‘fan ire’ on to match officials to deflect away from performances and results.

There was a high number of contentious decisions made at the weekend with Neil Warnock angry over a penalty awarded against Aberdeen while Celtic and Kilmarnock have put in appeals against red cards issued to players.

With VAR in operation for 17 months there shouldn’t be any debate over a player being sent off when two VAR officials and the match referee can review incidents from multiple angles.

Brendan Rodgers’ comments from Tynecastle caught most of the media attention, it seems inevitable that the Celtic boss will be hit with a disrepute charge and asked to explain his comment on John Beaton being incompetent.

With an almost complete media blackout from the SFA to discuss and explain decisions there is a vacuum in the news cycle that leaves managers, players and supporters frustrated at the lack of transparency and accountability.

Reacting to the events over the weekend, Football Scotland reports the SSFRA stating:

It has become too easy throughout the course of this season for managers and clubs to turn the focus – and resultant fan ire – on to match officials, often to deflect from team performance and results.

We fully appreciate the importance of matches, especially now as we head into the defining period of the season for the destiny of the championship, European and top-six places, as well as relegation and play-off matters.

Nonetheless, match officials should be able to carry out their duties without fear of them impacting their personal lives, their personal safety and the safety and security of their families.

It is regrettable that criticism, which we generally accept is a part of the game for players and coaches as well as referees, has become much more frequent, disproportionate, and personalised towards our members.

Everyone involved in Scottish football has a responsibility to behave professionally and respectfully and to understand the consequences of their actions.

Celtic will find out the outcome of their appeal against the red card issued to Yang Hyun-jun this afternoon after a meeting of the SFA Disciplinary Committee at Hampden.

Brendan Rodgers sick of Rangers narrative and sends defiant Celtic title message

Defiant Brendan Rodgers has told his Celtic stars the title is still in their hands despite missing the chance to go top.

The Hoops fell to a crushing 2-0 defeat at Tynecastle, less than 24 hours after Motherwell stunned Rangers with a 2-1 win at Ibrox. It was a bitter pill to swallow for the champions, who squandered a golden opportunity to move back into the Premiership driving seat.

Fizzing Rodgers put the blame down on “incompetent” match officials Don Robertson and John Beaton after several controversial decisions went against the visitors – including an early red card for Yang and harsh handball on Tomoki Iwata which led to Hearts’ penalty.

Rodgers claims all the noise has been about how Rangers will pick up maximum points from their nine remaining games. But the Parkhead boss remains adamant there will be plenty more twists and turns in the title race.

He said: “You would never have said yesterday before Rangers lost to Motherwell at home that they would lose. Everything I hear is that they are going to win every single game through to the end of the season. But we know it’s about us. It’s still very much in our hands.

“We’ve got 12 games to go. Nine league games and we want to be in the cup final on the 25th of May. We will fight for every competition we will be in. We had the chance to go top. It was unfortunate the way the game panned out for us. We now have to recover and go away and get to the semi-finals next weekend.”

Celts might have to get through the next few fixtures without captain Callum McGregor, who missed today’s clash due to an issue with his Achilles and calf. The influential midfielder is set to undergo further medical examinations which could rule him out of Scotland’s upcoming double-header against the Netherlands and Northern Ireland later this month.

Rodgers added: “He will have another scan on Wednesday. I don’t think it will be long-term but it may last through to the international break. I don’t know. He may well do. He has a further scan on Wednesday and then we will get to see where he’s at. If he’s not going to be involved for us he obviously won’t be involved for Scotland.”

Pundit: “Damn good player” has played his last game for Celtic

With Brendan Rodgers’ men looking the strongest they have all season, an outcast at Parkhead may have now played his final game for the club.

Celtic chase rivals for title

With the Scottish Premiership regarded as something of a foregone conclusion in recent seasons, this campaign sees Celtic neck and neck with Glasgow rivals Rangers for the title.

With no European football left to compete for after crashing out of the group stages of the Champions League, the Hoops can focus their attention on domestic trophies with a Scottish Cup quarter-final against Livingston set to take place next week.

A 7-1 victory over Dundee FC in midweek saw Rodgers’ men edge closer to their bitter rivals going into the business end of the season. A slip up against Motherwell this weekend has opened the window for Celtic to leapfrog their neighbours and go one point clear at the top.

Getting ahead of their rivals is essential for Celtic with an Old Firm derby penciled in for next month likely to determine who comes out on top at the end of the regular season.

Whilst it has been Celtic’s imperious attack that has seen them average almost 2.5 goals per game, the Hoops’ excellence in front of goal may be at the expense of one man who looks to have played his last game for the club.

Johnston tipped to leave Celtic for good

Speaking to Football Insider, former Celtic and West Ham striker Frank McAvennie has stated that on-loan star Mikey Johnston is unlikely to return to Parkhead this summer.

Johnston is currently on loan at EFL Championship side West Brom and has shone during his short time in England. Arriving on deadline day, the 24-year-old has been exceptional in his new colours, scoring three goals in just seven appearances for the Baggies.

In reference to Johnston’s success at his new club, McAvennie stated that “He’s not coming back to Celtic at all”.

“He’s been at Celtic for years and he wasn’t getting into the team. there’s no doubting the boy’s talent”.

“He’s a damn good player and the Championship is a good level for him.”

Since touching down in the West Midlands, the Irishman has been a core part of West Brom’s playoff push, with a goal in Friday’s win over Coventry earning him the plaudits of his new fanbase. Johnston’s curling effort opened the scoring just five minutes into the tie, sending The Hawthorns into pandemonium.

Despite scoring 13 goals in 92 outings in green and white, Johnston has struggled for minutes at Celtic this season making just nine league appearances for the Hoops before departing in January.

With West Brom set to compete in the playoffs come May, Johnston will be a major part of Carlos Corberán’s squad as they fight for a shot at Premier League football. Regardless of whether the Baggies come calling again this summer, it is clear that Johnston’s future does not lie at Celtic.