Ryan Jack has lashed out at Willie Collum after trying to talk to him during the Old Firm game.
Sunday’s contest seen Celtic come out 1-0 winners at Parkhead. Olivier Ntcham scored the winner, but controversy surrounded it with Jack potentially fouled in the build-up.
Whilst Collum wasn’t the reason Rangers lost the game, many are angry towards him at the decision. It appeared Celtic’s Tom Rogic may have clipped the Scotland star before starting the counter-attack.
Jack, who’s in his second full season at Ibrox, claimed that he tried to speak to the referee after the goal. Putting his case towards Collum, the Rangers midfielder gave his view on the matter.
MORE RANGERS STORIES
At the time I said to him, ‘Willie, I thought that was a foul’. But you get nothing back. It’s, ‘Go away, get out my face’, whatever. There’s nothing you can say. If you do try to approach to ask why he’s made a decision then you get hit with a booking and another rash decision that’s going to be made on the pitch. It’s frustrating for players that you can’t actually approach a referee and ask for an explanation. He’s not someone you can approach.
Poor reflection
If what Jack says is true, it certainly doesn’t reflect well on Collum. Yet it’s certainly believable when you watch the referee’s demeanour during Old Firm matches.
We looked at Collum’s stats last week, showing that neither side had been particular disadvantaged by him in the past over the other. Both sides yet again had decisions go against them during the match on Sunday.
As well as the decision not to give a foul on Jack, Ryan Christie also got away with a dive late on in the second half.
Down the other end, Allan McGregor got away with a kick-out at Kristoffer Ajer.
With such a series of blunders, Collum’s refusal to allow players to give their views is all the more staggering.
Jack now has to put the issue behind him and prepare for Scotland’s double-header against Belgium and Albania.