Frankie

I think I've heard that song once in 10 years at any game I've been to... Meanwhile Celtic fans glorify the IRA every week to no punishment.

His decision-making and final ball are awful. Add in the fact he slows the game to a stop to take a surplus of touches, then it's no wonder he can't get past defenders who can get back in numbers while he sand dances. Must do better.

Lafferty is definitely more effective as a striker but because he works the channels quite well that's why some manager's feel he can play out wide. He has had a few good games on the left but generally I'd much rather play him up front.

Sorry pete but Craig Thomson has shown time after time that consistency is not his strong point. There was no foul at the Naismith 'goal' (other than perhaps on Naismith) so it doesn't matter what view he had, it should have stood. Davis tried to move his arm in order to miss the ball not deliberately stop it. To give a penalty for that was ludicrous. This ref seems to have issues being fair in our games. What are the odds of him being the ref in the next Old Firm game after yesterday's 'honest' mistakes?

Aye, so you are....

And of Strathclyde Police considering they do nothing.

Supposedly but arrests are minimal.

Celtic FC and police constantly pander to this group. A joke.

Despite best efforts of referee, Rangers re-assume SPL lead after comfortable victory against St Mirren. http://www.gersnetonline.co.uk/2010/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=334:st-mirren-1-3-rangers-player-ratings-and-mom-poll&catid=1:articles&Itemid=67 :kl: Big man has had a improved season so far this term and he brought a much needed urgency to our play yesterday.

Wonder if a Scottish game will finally be shown in HD?

Casuals (or trouble-makers) won't travel by 'official' means...

I'd contend he hides even more when played centrally. But we're agreed, he hides!

I'm quite comfortable with the number of players who have made the breakthrough in recent years. We can't expect to bring through more than 2-3 a season IMO given the (often unreasonable) expectations of the fans so Hutton, Wylde and Fleck doing the business this year would be a good start. Unfortunately, while older lads like McMillan and Loy seem able to do the business in the reserves, they lack the trust of the manager in the first XI. As such, we're then looking back towards Archie Campbell and Jamie Ness to supplement the squad.

Not just McCulloch but Davis who needs to take more responsibility for the team as well.

Thanks for that mate! I think you make many fair points though it isn't as easy as saying make a few changes and automatically win the game (as we seen against Caley). In saying that, I do think we need to rest a few players: Bougherra looks jaded, Whittaker struggles to last 90mins, Naismith isn't invincible and Miller seems off-form. However, I'm unsure we can afford to rest all four and am unsure Wylde would give us enough in such an important match. What is clear we really need guys like Webster, Weiss and Beattie to prove their fitness and contribute more to the team. I'd go for something like this: :rf: :kb: :sp: :sd: :lm: :jf: :vw: :sn: :kl:

Calscot discusses exactly why recent attention placed on our referees is unfair and unhelpful. Is the standard of referees declining? With the latest string of refereeing controversies being analysed to death, the main countering argument to one clubââ?¬â?¢s paranoia that the establishment is out to get them, is that any decisions against them later shown to be wrong or "soft", are just a result of refereeing standards lowering over the years. This theory is supported by the evidence referees make just as many mistakes favouring Celtic as well as against their rivals who they allege are given too many favourable decisions. While this shows Celticââ?¬â?¢s delusions of persecution are obviously ludicrous, and putting aside any ââ?¬Å?white liesââ?¬Â for another discussion, I doubt there is actually much evidence that referees are any less able today than they were in the past. However, today there IS far more scrutiny with multiple cameras, slow motion, freeze frame and other modern technology, combined with the media changing from respectful reporting to a position of obsessing with highlighting and sensationalising every key decision as a new form of entertainment to increase ratings or circulation and so engage a bigger audience. There is plenty of evidence that refereeing is now a far more difficult job than it used to be with a myriad of new rules and edicts; a much faster game with fitter, faster players; no pass backs and multiple balls to get the play going immediately; combined with a far more cynical attitude by an increasing number of players with absolutely no sportsmanship or integrity. Referees are given far more education and training and have tougher qualification standards. They have to be fitter, more knowledgeable and give more consistent results while having their performance judged in every game. It's incredible that the club with the least integrity from fan to player to manager to chairman has the gall to question the honesty of the humble referee who is trying his best to do what is now approaching an impossible job. It's easy to focus on single decisions with a myriad of slow motion replays from a multitude of angles but that is not even close to how a referee views a game - literally or figuratively. He has one pair of eyes and has to see the game at full speed, from one angle and in full flow, without knowing when or what the incidents will be. He also has to use psychology in his decisions to control a game with 22 competitive men who usually cannot control themselves or their emotions and who often cheat or attempt to hurt the opposition given the opportunity. Sometimes a decision for a booking, sending off or abstaining from a card at all can be based on the game as a whole, and what reaction it will bring from the players to calm the match down and make them play more like the professional sportsmen they purport to be. Looking at such a decision in isolation is like analysing a line from a speech without any context. If referees are just "sh!te" then arenââ?¬â?¢t we all? Who has not been convinced about an incident when watching live and then changed your mind when you see the replay or stop motion? Who has missed an incident in the game completely because you were watching the ball? The foul on Papac by Stokes for example? The main cameraman missed it... The referee has to see everything that is happening - including right after he has to duck to avoid being hit by the ball. Sometimes things look different at full speed or from different angles and the referee has to make a decision instantly, first time. It's an incredibly difficult thing to do and I very much doubt the likes of Neil Lennon, Charlie Nicolas or anyone in the studio or press box could do a job which stands up to a similar technological scrutiny by a top referee. Even with the technology, opinions are divided and many of these "wrong" decisions are not clear cut. I still think it was technically a penalty for Broadfoot (even if not the most cut and dried) and see them given all the time - and softer ones have been given to Celtic. Seen at full speed and only once, there is no reason why a ref wouldn't give it, and to say he was incompetent is completely disingenuous. You can only give a penalty or wave play on, there is no in between, so when is a ââ?¬Å?softââ?¬Â decision correct or not? At worst a soft penalty is when there is enough of an infringement to suggest foul play but also some doubt as to whether it was enough for a penalty to be given. On these occasions, the referee has to make an instant call and use his interpretation of the rules and what he saw. By definition there is no real right and wrong for these decisions and we have to play the game with respect for referee or we have no game. What has happened now is that Celtic and their lackeys in the press have asserted adamantly and often enough that the referee was wrong and the decisionââ?¬â?¢s reputation as an injustice is now being taken for granted and stated as fact. The contrast for the past is that the refereesââ?¬â?¢ decisions were considered final and controversial decisions just stimulated debate. I feel it is a crime to create a witch-hunt of a referee by using technology he has no access to during the game - it's like lambasting someone for not seeing things perfectly from a distance when you are using a camera with a massive zoom lens. The only way to balance this up is to give the referees the same tools that are being used to judge their competence. As that will take a while to come to pass due to those prevaricating at FIFA and UEFA, at home it's imperative we resurrect the proper respect towards referees and protect them from undue and unfair pressure on them before, during and after the game, by heavily punishing clubs systematically involved in this practice, before all our top whistlers resign. We have to avert a situation which is currently threatening the integrity of our league.

Dear Mr Regan, As a concerned football fan I felt I had to convey in writing my frustration with regard to the ongoing controversy over officiating and discipline within the Scottish Football Association. To that end, I'm sure you agree that the performance of your officials - be it on the front line with referees and their assistants or administratively with their superiors - has been less than convincing. The Tannadice incident and the subsequent debate has done nothing for the credibility of your organisation and the overall game in Scotland. Now, I'd like to make clear that I feel the issue is more about competency and flawed procedure rather than infer the people involved are somehow corrupt or conspiring against any given club. Such unsubstantiated theories are unhelpful and are easily debunked when one examines the issue without prejudice. I certainly won't waste your time going over the plethora of decisions I feel have negatively affected my club, either in recent years or historically. Unfortunately though it seems clear others are intent in insulting your intelligence and this is where I'd like to detail my frustration. As you know, in recent times (both in the last few weeks and last season in particular) Celtic Football Club have written several times to the SFA asking the organisation to explain an alleged surfeit of refereeing decisions which they feel have gone against their club. Of course this is their right and I don't think anyone should deny them the chance to impart their grievances. However, there comes a point when understandable expressions of dissatisfaction go beyond private letters to what appears to be an obvious public strategy of antiestablishmentarianism. Whether it be their players alleging in the media yesterday that there are 'a disproportionate number of decisions given against their club', their manager verbally/physically abusing officials on the touchline or their chief executive polarising opinions about 'honest mistakes' amongst their support at pre-season 'road-shows'; Celtic FC are now arguably being less than proper in their actions. One must ask what their motive is when they lack the proof for the apparent inferences of cheating they make? I think it is fair to say we all have a responsibility to football in Scotland. From the fans who continually invest their money to keep it fiscally viable, to the clubs who we support, to the authorities who have the unenviable task of administrating the whole; it is vital that at all times we ensure our national sport is a credible and proud example for our country. It is that respect that transparency has never been more appropriate and I would hope all those that have dishonoured Scottish football of late are dealt with suitably so the lifeblood of the game can continue to enjoy a sport which is free from dishonesty and duplicity. Dougie McDonald and Steven Craven have had their punishment for their poor decisions. Will you be informing us all of the censure handed out to those others who are equally guilty of bringing the game into disrepute? After all, if this doesn't happen then the credibility of the disciplinary process will remain open to negative debate. Clear and strong leadership has certainly never been more required. I'm sure you will be eager to invoke this as a matter of urgency and, as a regular investor into Scottish football, I look forward to your reply on all of the above. Yours in football, xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx --

Well said Billy!

Possibly mate but the lad has set himself high standards and I thought he 'sat-down' a bit too easily on the shot.

Rangers fail to perform in Spain as Valencia give lesson in possession football and chance-taking. http://www.gersnetonline.co.uk/2010/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=331:valencia-3-0-rangers-player-ratings-and-mom-poll&catid=1:articles&Itemid=67 Didn't do his reputation any harm with a string of great reaction saves but also looked less than convincing at first two goals. Not enough protection in any case.

Lad is still training with us so I'm sure it will go ahead soon enough...

Either is fine by me...

Well said Kenny. Celtic have brought the game into disrepute with their constant public inferences of cheating officials. It is beyond time the SFA returned their complaints with a bit more accuracy.

After we beat Celtic I often worry about motivation and with Valencia away next midweek, I think that is doubly true for tomorrow... No excuses though, we should win and no reason why we can't keep our run going. Rangers 2 : 0 Caley Davis and Bougherra

Someone give Zappa a nudge!