Referee Conroy admits: I thought I'd never get a Rangers-Celtic game

Derby day referee Steve Conroy has admitted that he has wondered if he'd ever be asked to take charge of a Celtic-Rangers match.

In a carefully worded article on the SFA's website Conroy strays off message to discuss the 'refereeing community' and the 'select number of referees' who take charge of this fixture.

After the abysmal display from referee Craig Thomson at Ibrox in October Conroy doesn't have a particularly high standard of performance to match with Thomson's horror show forcing him into a reluctant apology for one decision issued through 'refereeing supremo' Hugh Dallas.

“There were stages over the last few years when I thought the opportunity might be slipping away from me,” Conroy admitted about tomorrow's appointment.

“I have been in the game a long time now and hadn’t been given an Old Firm game. It is firmly understood by the refereeing community that only a select number of referees will ever take charge of this game and you have to be at the top of your career to be appointed.

“When I found out I had been given an opportunity at this game I was delighted, but if I’m perfectly honest I wasn’t completely surprised.

“In the last few years, I have been in charge of some big games, like the Edinburgh derby, and the only step left was this game so I am thrilled to have finally got there.

“Last season, I definitely felt I had reached a far more consistent level of performance over the season. There was one particular game between two top six sides in which there was a lot at stake for each side and I knew coming off that I had handled things well.”

Conroy of course has come in for criticism this season, especially from Walter Smith after sending off Pedro Mendes at Kilmarnock earlier this season.

Smith was so upset by that decision that he was ordered out of the dug out and ended up with an SFA ban for his actions.

Conroy has no hang-ups about being given the most scrutinised match in Scotland and is looking forward to finally taking charge of a Celtic-Rangers game.

He added: “You need to have confidence in yourself to reach this level in the game. It’s not arrogance: it’s just a belief built from experience that you can handle the situations that will no doubt be thrown at you.”

Inevitably any article on Scottish refereeing isn't complete without some words of wisdom from Dallas.

Justifying his job and salary the man that retired a year early from front line refereeing has given Conroy his dubious seal of approval.

Dallas said: “Steve has worked very hard throughout his time as a referee and has a vast amount of experience under his belt now. We are confident he will handle the situation superbly and that he is fully prepped for the occasion.

“He has waited a bit longer than some others for this appointment but with his performances over the last period, we believe now is the right time for him to be tested in this big game and hopefully he can come out the other end unscathed.

“Referees are under more scrutiny and pressure than ever before. Every decision they make is analysed by numerous cameras with slow-motion replays. If a game has little in the way of entertainment, goals or action, then the referee’s performance is discussed.

“That’s just the nature of the modern game and the referees who make the top grade are comfortable with that.

“When they get a hard time in the media after a game it is our job to thoroughly analyse the performance with them, provide a strong support network and, most importantly, build their confidence up again.”

Anticipating mistakes tomorrow Conroy added: “Of course every referee makes mistakes in every game but sometimes it can be a bit of luck whether the mistakes you make have a big effect on the game and its outcome.

“We work very hard with the referee development team and our observers to analyse every game and make sure that we learn from every mistake made.

“I am well aware of the special pressures involved when Rangers and Celtic play; I’ve certainly received enough support and advice from my colleagues and those at the Scottish FA but once we’re on the pitch, it is the same as every other game and I just have to do my job well.”

SFA article