Scott McDermott answers your calls as regulars claim the big two are both benefiting from favourable decisions
Dan Finlayson was penalised for handball(Image: SNS Group)
Christmas might be over but the panto season is still in full swing when it comes to Scottish football.
It was a penalty. Oh no it wasn’t. Oh yes it was.
One thing’s for sure, SPFL refs are the villains especially on the Old Firm stage.
Celtic fans and others are convinced Rangers got away with one against Motherwell on Saturday when David Dickinson and VAR didn’t punish Emmanuel Fernandez for a late challenge on Lukas Fadinger in the box.
While the Gers supporters couldn’t believe their Glasgow rivals got a spot kick at Livingston after Daizen Maeda appeared to push Daniel Finlayson before the ball struck his hand.
The season of goodwill? Not on the Record Hotline.
First up, Willie Mercer, Dumfries said: “Once again the match officials contrive to rewrite the rules.
“Surely handball in the area must take into account the build-up to the incident?
“Nick Walsh on VAR totally ignored the Maeda push which was a huge factor at Livingston.
“We’ll no doubt get the usual mumbled apology from Wilie Colllum but how often do we need to suffer the incompetence of him and his officials?”
Chris Lowe, Yoker , said: “Once again Matthew McDiarmid gifts Celtic a game-changing decision with a shocker of a penalty – every bit as bad as the one they got at Kilmarnock.
“The integrity of the game is in question under Collum’s watch.”
Scott Gowers, Edinburgh said: “Even Celtic fans know their penalty at Livingston was unjustified.
“I’ve asked several of them if they’d be happy if it had gone against them and 100 percent of them said they’d want a foul.
“That tells its own story about the officials in Scotland.
“I don’t think Rangers – or any other team – would have been given a penalty in those circumstances.”
Now on to Ibrox where Motherwell gaffer Jens Berthel Askou said he’d take Dickinson’s decision to his grave.
Scott McAdam, Glasgow said: “Yet another penalty not awarded for the away team at Ibrox – that’s three games in a row a club has been robbed.
“Hardly a coincidence is it? Rangers fans aren’t greetin about refs now are they?”
Harry Fitzpatrick, Ontario said: “When is something going to be done about this?
“That’s about four incidents with the same player (Fernandez) in the past month or so.
“Is it just my paranoia kicking in? Rangers continually harassed the SFA with complaints after the semi-final against Celtic and since then they’ve had about five penalty decisions go in their favour. It’s getting embarrassing now.”
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Andrew Welsh, Glasgow said: “Let’s be honest, since Rangers got upset about the challenge on Jack Butland at Hampden, every penalty decision has gone for them.”
Henry Moffat, Stirling said: “Rangers fans can deflect all they want but the rest of Scottish football knows what’s going on here.
“It’s disgraceful and corrupt use of VAR with match changing decisions in the space of a few weeks.
“Enough is enough, an investigation is needed.”
It’s not long until the transfer window opens and Ibrox punters are hoping Danny Rohl is busy.
Mike McHattie, Glasgow said: “We should try and get Lennon Miller on loan in January. He’s hardly getting game time at Udinese and the move would suit both parties.”
Adam Peters, Bathgate said: “Elliot Watt, David Watson, Kenny McLean, Lawrence Shankland and Don Turgeman are no-brainers for Rangers in this window.
“So I fully expect us to go for the usual overpriced Championship players who think it’s a holiday up here and fail.”
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Ian Renton, Johnstone said: “I was delighted to read Barry Ferguson’s comments in the Record about signing Scottish players.
“They need a core of players who understand what playing for the club means.”
But Alan Flett, Glasgow said: “I can’t think of one SPFL player who would be good enough for Rangers and even if there was, we’d have to pay over the odds for them.
“I’m not convinced by Rohl but in this window he merits the chance to put his own stamp on the team.”
If Rohl is under pressure to deliver, it’s the same story for Wilfried Nancy across the city – despite two wins on the spin.
Denis Bruce, Bishopbriggs said: “If Celtic start against Motherwell like they did against Livi, they won’t claw the goals back at Fir Park.”
Jimmy Murray, Glasgow said: “A sound hammering off Motherwell should be the end for Nancy. If not, Rangers should deliver the final blow on January 3.”