If there wasn’t already enough pressure bubbling ahead of the Old Firm derby, spare a thought for the referee.
Bobby Madden has been selected for the whistler in this one, but it hasn’t stopped some – Celtic fans in particular – crying conspiracy before a ball has even been kicked.
But after a pretty weird hoax and the surrounding hysteria was disproved, it shows just how much Celtic fans are beginning to fear the threat of Rangers.
On Clyde Superscoreboard [Tuesday 27/08/19: around 39:00] a self-proclaimed “paranoid Celtic fan” phoned into the hotline bemoaning the decision to employ Douglas Ross, Andrew Dallas and John Beaton as officials for the match in some capacity.
“The officials for the weekend”, the fan defiantly proclaims.
“Bobby Madden’s the referee; this guy Douglas Ross, self-confessed Rangers fan, he runs the line in every time in this Old Firm and he’s made a few howlers.
“There’s Mr Beaton, the fourth official.
“The one that’s kinda bothering me is Andrew Dallas. Have you ever known a grade one referee to run the line?”
John the Celtic fan is then cut down as the panel tell him Douglas Ross, Andrew Dallas and John Beaton aren’t even officiating.
The entire thing started because hysteria spread amongst the Celtic support online about officiating for the game – and because they’re terrified Rangers could snatch the title from them.
It follows on from the hilarious Tom Boyd comments Rangers fans enjoyed so much last week, and Chris Sutton’s very dangerous ones last season [Daily Record].
This hysteria is a nonsense – it is putting immense pressure on referees to the point that they may well feel they have to pander to paranoid hordes.
At the end of the day, referees are people who can mistakes. Let the game be played.
Celtic fans aren’t worried about decisions on the day – they’re worried their grip on Scottish football is loosening.
