Scott Brown is getting the headlines this morning for what can only described as a schooling of theRangers Ryan Kent on the dark arts of footballing gamesmanship last night. And as much of a joy to watch as Celtic’s former skipper’s antics were last night, his team emerged with a solitary point to show for their efforts when it should have been all three.
Bar their goal, theRangers struggled to impose themselves on Aberdeen last night and when that happens you can be as sure of ‘honest mistakes’ emerging from Scottish officials, as you can of any howling North East wind or rutted Pittodrie pitch in January.
This time the man in the middle, ironically sponsored by Specsavers, was Kevin Clancy, and how he ‘missed’ that penalty award for Alan McGregor’s foul on Ryan Hedges is beyond comprehension, my word even Kris Boyd couldn’t deny that one was a clear spot kick!
Nothing to see here ……. 🙈 pic.twitter.com/ktSkutwtl9
— João Pedro Neves Filipe 🍀🇵🇹 (@JoaoPedro1888) January 18, 2022
Salt was then rubbed in Aberdeen’s wounds, as theRangers immediately went up the park and scored. And with that referee’s intervention Aberdeen went from a chance from 12 yards to go a goal to the good, to moments later being a goal behind.
Aberdeen eventually managed to grab a deserved equaliser as Lewis Ferguson struck from the spot after an Alfredo Morelos clear handball, but in truth all three points should have gone to Aberdeen and Celtic should be chasing a three-point gap rather than four this morning.
Just the 750 days apart…
29th Dec 2019 18th Jan 2022 pic.twitter.com/HO2WKOf7GA
— Giampaolo Mazzone (@PMJawn) January 18, 2022
Now Aberdeen manager Stephen Glass has weighed into the controversy by way of his post-match SkySports interview, and will no doubt be punished by the governing bodies for daring to draw attention to their referees -ahem- inadequacies, by stating exactly what any neutral observer was saying watching the game at home “It’s a penalty kick. I think anybody with eyes can see it’s a penalty kick.”
🗣️ "It's a penalty kick. I think anybody with eyes can see it's a penalty kick."
Stephen Glass gives his thoughts on Aberdeen’s 1-1 draw with Rangers pic.twitter.com/bgi5n60GGk
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) January 18, 2022
Perhaps it’s time the SFA stopped punishing the post-match comments that come from no other place than genuine frustration, and started examining the clear patterns emerging in the standard of officiating in Scottish football.
Cameras moved off sharpish when Clancy started having a wee laugh with his pal. pic.twitter.com/aB64PhElid
— Mo Laudrup (@MoLaudrup) January 18, 2022
That decision last night could have a bearing on Aberdeen’s season, but of course it could have a greater bearing on where the title ends up. But just as Scott Brown is adept at producing the dark arts in big games against theRangers, it appears so too are the officials that dare not be questioned. And you don’t need 20-20 vision to see we’ll get even more ‘honest mistakes’ in the weeks and months ahead. And it will be the manager’s and payers complaining rather than the referees officiating who will be the ones facing the punishment. Same as it ever was!
Here are the highlights…
📺 HIGHLIGHTS! Giovanni van Bronckhorst's winning start as Rangers boss is over after Aberdeen came from behind to draw with the Scottish Premiership leaders at Pittodrie 👇 pic.twitter.com/JrPKjAVzCG
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) January 18, 2022
Niall J
“It’s not worth a yellow”
Screw you Walker ya dumb-witted clown. I hope you choke on that soup, traitor.