Even by the Hotline’s standards today’s level of official paranoia will take some beating.
Just two callers on the subject of the referee team who have been selected for the Viaplay Cup Final between Rangers and Celtic managed to accuse all FIVE officials of bias before a ball is even kicked! The SFA confirmed on Wednesday Nick Walsh would take charge of next Sunday’s Hampden clash with Frank Connor and David Roome running the lines, Kevin Clancy as fourth official and John Beaton on VAR.
Rangers fan Chris Lowe, Yoker, cast his mind back over three years to kick things off. He said: “I hope David Roome has better eyesight than he did as assistant ref in the 2019 final when he allowed the Celtic goal to stand despite three players being offside. The inclusion of the double act of Clancy and Connor is worrying. Rangers will need to be on their A game with these three involved given their past ‘honest mistakes’.”
Of course there’s two sides to every argument though and, to level things up, John Caw emailed: “Is this the Scottish refs association getting their own back on banner wavers at Celtic Park by picking two top Rangers fans for the Viaplay Cup Final - one on VAR and one with the whistle? Ah well revenge is sweet.”
If our refs are in need of some support then Neil Renton, Edinburgh, thinks he knows the perfect candidate. He said: “If Nicola Sturgeon is looking for a nice, quiet stress-free job now that she’ll no longer be First Minister can I recommend she applies to be head of Scottish referees? She’s an expert in making decisions that don’t please everyone so she’ll fit right in.”
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has been linked with numerous jobs in the Premier League in the past month and wisecracker Michael Houlican reckons the possibilities shouldn’t end there. He emailed: “I hear Ange is being tipped for Sturgeon’s job.”
Away from the fantasy and Record Sport’s hard-hitting exclusives on the mental struggles of former players coming to terms with the end of their playing days was applauded by William Masson who emailed: “Well done Sean Higgins and Ryan Stevenson for speaking out about their post football career struggles this week. Problems with mental health can affect any of us, often brought on by circumstance beyond our control. The first step for anyone with mental health problems is to acknowledge a problem and football and society in general need to have outlets where people can share their problems.”
On to the next generation of players coming through and Barrimore Barlow, Bowling, is concerned for the young talent at Ibrox and Parkhead. He said: “The youngsters at the Old Firm must be disheartened.
Alex Lowry, who was seen as decent, is way down the pecking order now and will hardly been seen for the rest of the season. Charlie McCann, who had promise, has already gone due to the overcrowded midfield. It’s a sair fecht for them.”
Meanwhile, Jimmy Murray, Edinburgh, said: “I see on the Celtic website John Kennedy is now being called the assistant manager. Can anyone tell me is this his 12th or 13th job at the club? And does having so many jobs with the one club entitle him to another testimonial match and dinner?”
Finally, with Scotland on course for a historic 6 Nations triumph, Ian McKay, Denny, reckons our footballers should take note. He said: “Having watched the 6 Nations now for many years I have to say football needs to take leaf out of the rugby union game. When a free kick or penalty is awarded in rugby there are no arguments, the players take the refs decision and move on. Football? the players surround the ref, kick the ball away, pick the ball up, stand a yard from the ball, when will we get the discipline right?”
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