Celtic FC - Always cheated, never defeated.

[Frankie 8,150]

It's already been a few days since Rangers' splendid away win against Celtic at Parkhead. Most commentators have admitted we were the better team and most Rangers fans could have predicted our superior strength against a Celtic squad which lacks leadership in the way our team has from Walter Smith and David Weir. Unfortunately, once again much of the talk has been about the performance of the referee. And in many ways, this is a fair debate but, once again, this debate lacks balance and Celtic FC and their manager are attempting to use it to deflect from their own failings.

 

Only a week after their last letter to the SFA for an explanation regarding an over-turned penalty ruling, Neil Lennon has admitted they have once again contacted Hampden over Willie Collum's decision to award Rangers a penalty on Sunday. For those that haven't seen this incident, it was certainly a debatable one but the following double-picture from Willie Vass captures it perfectly.

 

 

Note, first and foremost, how Collum had the ideal view despite the myth that his back was turned. Furthermore, note that not only did the knee of the Celtic defender hinder Broadfoot's attempt to move past the player but he had both hands on the chest of the Rangers full back to also impede his progress. To conclude, two points of contact and arguably enough of an obstruction to make a foul the obvious choice for the referee.

 

Was it soft? Yes, I'll be honest and say it was and I also agree Broadfoot made the most of the contact discussed. If Celtic had benefited from such a decision I'd be similarly frustrated. However, if we're being balanced, then we must remember that last week Celtic expected a penalty for a similar incident where Gary Kenneth barely touched their forward. In addition, the incident immediately after this where Dougie McDonald initially gave a penalty, Celtic wanted the decision upheld despite the goalkeeper actually getting a touch on the ball. Indeed, their manager was so incensed at this, he verbally and physically abused the officials as they rightly rescinded their decision. Yet, the same person wants an explanation for an incident where his defender didn't touch the ball and did make contact with an opposition forward.

 

Now, Celtic are entitled to their opinion and why shouldn't they raise it with the SFA. After all, Collum did have a poor game but one doubts whether or not Celtic's enquiry will have the balance within it for the beaks to take it seriously. For example does it mention Anthony Stokes' assault on Sasa Papac within the first 2 mins which was only punished by a yellow card? Does it mention a Rangers player being booked immediately afterwards for a tackle which won the ball strongly but fairly? Does it mention a Celtic player not being booked for a horror challenge on the ankle of Bougherra? Does it mention the same player being absolved of blame for 'kneeing' the Rangers goalkeeper on the head while he was prone on the ground? Does it mention several of their players' inclination to push the opposition when upset with refereeing decisions? Does it mention a player who has already managed to avoid a red card only being cautioned for a late assault from behind on Scotland's best player this season? These examples of Celtic benefiting from officiating errors are only in Sunday's match - need we examine historic similar contests?

 

After all, Celtic want transparency within the Scottish game, so perhaps they'll be keen to make their contents of their various letters public to we can all accurately judge their intent over their cynicism?

 

And this is the crux of the debate; what exactly are their motives here? Last season (and historically) their fans, players, manager and club administration have made it completely clear they feel elements of Scottish football (be it officials, the SFA, the SPL and even other teams) are conspiring against them. Indeed, during many supporter 'road-shows' of which Lennon and other club figures attended, they were keen to drum up support for these conspiracy theories. Apparently, they are worried over the number of 'honest mistakes' made against Celtic. Of course, honesty (or the implied lack of same) doesn't even come into it.

 

Let's be clear here: Celtic FC are attempting to suggest officials (and others apparently) cheat in favour of Rangers in Scotland. That is patently untrue and I feel sorry for any Celtic fan buying this red herring from a club management which will do anything to deflect blame from themselves as they lurch from one failure to the next. Indeed, one should find these unsubstantiated theories funny but their claims are now going beyond mirth given the complications facing those being charged by the Celtic kangaroo court.

 

Unfortunately, when the safety of officials is again a concern then Celtic should be reconsidering their approach. Every club in football has their fair share of decisions go for and against them. This is part and parcel of the game and in an era where super slo-mo replays from countless angles can often throw up more questions than answers then the referee has it even more difficult than before. In this case patience is a virtue and I'm glad Walter Smith is one of the few managers who agrees that referees deserve our backing; not our accusations.

 

Therefore, for anyone to embark on a very public crusade of questioning officials' integrity to the scale of threatening their well-being is not only disingenuous but dangerous. Instead of making a point privately they could be arguably entitled to make, instead they only detract from it and cause more problems that actually existed in the first place.

 

Considering Neil Lennon has suffered from violence and depression himself for doing no more than his job, perhaps he should reconsider his approach to ensure Scottish referees do not suffer from the same miseries for doing their best in an tense atmosphere Celtic have historically contributed more than anyone to creating.

 

Football is an imperfect sport and we all feel hard done by from time to time. For anyone - least of all one of Scotland's biggest clubs - to suggest this goes beyond bad luck to deliberate and concious judgements against them isn't just unacceptable but provides a clear and present danger to the credibility of the game in this country.

 

Celtic FC should be ashamed of themselves and anyone who panders to this ongoing 'always cheated, never defeated' mantra are equally guilty of bringing our proud national sport into disrepute.

[Jim1955 12]

A good read and well argued. The Celtic board must be regarded as culpable, Lennon can only be speaking with their tacit approval.

[Stimpy 0]

I showed those pics to a tim on another forum and he accused me of photoshoping them!

It's truly impossible to get through to them and what's worse, is Stokes career threatening challenge on Papac was mistimed and never a red card. Their logic! Studs have to be pointing skywards for a tackle to deemed a sending off.