MacPherson fury at honest mistake and Smith loses his cool

The aftermath to Rangers 3-1 win over St Mirren today proved unusually lively as both managers joined in the 'great' refereeing debate.

St Mirren boss Gus MacPherson was incensed by a fourth minute decision from Charlie Richmond not to book Davie Weir for a foul on Michael Higdon which under some interpretations of the laws could have been an ordering off offence.

MacPherson said: "There are certain aspects of the game that were disapointing which as usual we are not allowed to talk about. We've got to accept it.

"We're made to go to meetings at the start of the season, it's not optional. We are set down guidelines then during the course of the season these guidelines change.

"A different set of rules are applied, none more so than when we're come here.

"There was a massive decision for the referee to make in the fourth minute where Michael Higdon has been pulled back in the process of shooting.

"We get the free kick but no card. I'm not wanting players booked or red carded but there are laws to the game and David Weir has impeded Michael Higdon in the process of shooting.

"He has effected how he is shooting- now there is a decision to be made there and no decision was made.

"He (Higdon) actually gets his shot away but he is impeded in the process. There is a clear pull and there is no arguments yet no decision is made.

"We get a free kick but there has got to be a decision made. It's easy, it's in the rules. We are actually shown clips at the start of the season by Mr Dallas showing incidents of what is important and what the new guidelines are.

"Yet when the games come along, when there are decisions to be made they don't get made.

"It's compulsory (to meet with Dallas) we must go, it's not even optional, you go there and see a set of rules. A lot of football people at the meeting were actually questioning and arguing which is healthy, that's what the game is all about.

"But when the games come along and you are looking for them (the laws) to be applied in the correct manner and it's not being done."

Straight after a match managers are always at their most emotional with the St Mirren boss clearly feeling angry throughout the remaining 86minutes of the match.

His outburst could bring about a charge of bringing the game into disrepute with the SFA who would then have to look into the matter.

Rangers boss Walter Smith couldn't contain his anger in the aftermatch conference when he was questioned about another refereeing matter.

He said: "Everybody wants people ordered off and everyone wants penalties against us. Everybody wants everything against us at the present moment.

"I don't know what road we are going down in that respect.

"We seem to be reaching a ridiculous stage where refereeing decisions are actually becoming far more important than the game itself.

"Everybody starts talking about refereeing decisions, referees this... it's a game of football and refereeing decisions, good, bad or indifferent have been part of the game for years.

"When I started Jim McLean, Alex Ferguson and Jock Stein all moaned about refereeing decisions. I moan about them, everybody moans about them but now in Scotland they seem to be taking far greater significance.

"Your team has got to be good enough to overcome them. 

"This aspect that has been brought up recently, yes we might have a gap in referees but they make their decisions and we have to get on with it.

"Referees in every league in the world are under scrutiny; now with ours it's every weekend. It's becoming the referees decisions that are influencing games.

"It should be players and managers that influence games. The better the job that we do then the better our team does.

"That's where we are, I moan about referees decisions but I think that it's reaching a ridiculous proportion in Scotland at the present moment.

"It's not giving referees the proper opportunity to do their job. There's a rant for you!"

Loan Celt Graham Carey scored St Mirren's goal.

Youths lose out to Rangers

Celtic's u-19 side were taught a lesson in finishing as they lost out 2-1 to Rangers at Barrafield.

Chances were at a premium for both sides but opportunist finishes from Archie Campbell and Kane Hemmings early in the second half left Celtic chasing the game although a late strike from Bahrudin Atajic almost allowed Stevie Frail's side to claim a point.

There were three changes to the Celtic side that won 2-1 at Kilmarnock last week with James Forrest and Patrik Twardzik replacing Greig Spence and Johny Marsden in attack whilst Richie Towell returned at right-back in place of Curtis Jones.

Celtic created a couple of half chances in the opening stages without unduly troubling Grant Adams in the Rangers goal.

Forrest was causing the Rangers defence some problems with his close control which brought in some hefty challenges although Rangers keeper Adams was rarely tested with the visitors defence holding firm.

Three minutes into the second half Forrest was booked for complaining to referee Dallas after taking another kick on the ankles.

Rangers took the lead in the 51st minute when Campbell raced onto a through ball before shooting low and across Daniel Giordano into the far corner of the net.

Sean Fitzharris and James Keatings were having some success down the flanks but there was a lack of punch to the Celtic attack.

In the 75th minute Rangers doubled their lead when Hemmings wrestled away from Matt Hughes before slotting his shot beyond Giordano.

Greig Spence and Atajic were thrown on in place of the Twardzik twins as Frail attempted to vary things up front and with three minutes left Atajic bravely dived in front of Adams to head a cross from Declan Gallagher into the net.

Atajic's involvement in the game ended at that stage, play was held up as he received treatment with the former Malmo striker having his left leg immobilised before making his way to the dressing rooms on crutches.

Play was held up for a few minutes as Atajic received treatment with Marsden sent on in search of an equaliser.

Spence could have salvaged a point for Celtic in injury time when Declan Gallagher's header fell his way in the penalty box but as he lifted his shot over Adams the ball fell inches over the crossbar.

STARTING TEAM: Guardino; Towell, Hughes, D Gallagher, Lowden; Fitzharris, G Gallagher, F Twardzik (Atajic 83, Marsden 88), Keatings, Forrest, P Twardzik ( Spence 76)

FINISHING TEAM: Guardino; Towell, Hughes, D Gallagher, Lowden; Fitzharris, G Gallagher, Keatings; Forrest, Marsden, Spence 

The third Rangers buy out from the Herald

The Herald newspaper has returned to one of it's favourite themes by reporting that a property developer has made a £33m bid to buy Rangers.

What exactly that would buy you from Rangers is unclear with the clubs last declared debt being reported at £31m.

The Herald have previously exclusively revealed that a secretive Florida based Scottish billionaire was preparing to buy out Rangers then ran with the bizarre proposal that another Florida based Scot, Graham Duffy was leading a consortium that would be inviting 15,000 fans to invest £1,000 a year for three years to assist the buy out.

Both of those stories have disappeared without trace with no other news source giving the story the credibility of following up and investigating the claims.

Today's 'third time lucky' story from the Herald is only being carried in their paper edition with online viewers denied access to the scoop for now, it appears that this buy-out proposal hasn't been put together in Florida.

Familiar phrases such as 'early stages', 'stock market regulations' and 'fan involvement' can be expected to be attached to the story.

The mystery extent of the debts carried by MIH being supported by Lloyds/TSB are the biggest hurdle to any deal to sell Rangers, until those details are known it's highly unlikely that a reasonably profitable, or at least cash flow rich, leg of the company will be sold off with obvious assets such as Ibrox and Murray Park.

A deal without those assets, being retained by the banks, could be a possibility but highly unpopular with supporters if their club then have to pay annual rent to use Ibrox.

With David Murray requiring a price for his shares, Lloyds/TSB looking for safeguards that their debt will be honoured and the clubs assets of Ibrox Stadium and Murray Park valued at over £100m it's unlikely that the £33m bid from the latest white knight will be acceptable.

SCOOP No. 3!

SCOOP No. 1 The Florida billionairre (Herald have removed the link to their story)

MURRAY CLAIMS NO INTEREST IN BUYING RANGERS

McIntyre's plans coming to fruition

Tommy McIntyre is delighted with the progress being made by Celtic's u-17 and u-19 side's this season.

The former Aberdeen and Hibs defender is in his first season at Celtic and has the job of co-ordinating the professional end of the clubs Academy, overseeing the work being carried out by Miodrag Krivokapic at u-17 and Stevie Frail with the u-19 side.

Winning isn't the purpose of youth development but at those levels players are at that stage where the demands of winning in a Celtic jersey begin to count.

On Saturday Celtic face Rangers at u-19 level for the first time this season with the youth of both clubs bound to be judged on the events at Airdrie's Excelsior Stadium.

The Celtic side will be made up of players of various ages who have come through the ranks in Scotland and Ireland as well as more exotic destinations such as the Czech Republic, Sweden and Italy.

Amongst the substitutes for the u-19's against Kilmarnock last Saturday there was a Czech raised in Germany, Patrik Twardzik; Bahrudin Atajic,a Bosnian from Sweden and the rising star of underage football Islam Feruz who arrived in this country from Somali but who is now a Scotland schoolboy internationalist. All three players qualify for Celtic's u-17 side and were in the team that played Hamilton the following day

The term 'conveyor belt' has become cliched in football development circles presenting the idea that there is an endless supply of young talent available for the first team.

McIntyre rejects the idea of a conveyor belt and is happy to see young players bubbling up to the surface to take their chance to progress to the next level.

He said: "The term conveyor belt is used loosely, it suggests that there are players coming in all the time but it's a far too early for us to be saying that.

"Clubs maybe like the phrase but there will be peaks and troughs of talent coming in and out.

"There will be times when things get fallow and times when it's fruitful. We're not in the job very long, to talk about a conveyor belt you'd need to be talking about four or five years down the line.

"All that we can do is give the young players opportunity, there's a lot that they have to learn, a lot of pitfalls that await them but you hope that you can give them the correct environment to develop and hone their skills".

Anyone who has watched this season u-19 side will have been impressed by the ability of the players and the depth to the squad.

A group of 20 players have been involved in the season to date with the emphasis on moving forward, passing the ball on the ground and being creative.

Frail has generally gone with a 4-3-3 formation where the two wingers can switch flanks with half a dozen players capable of operating purposefully from midfield.

Developing the players ability is mixed with the need to win matches with last month's 5-4 win over Dundee United in the SFA Youth Cup illustrating the winning mentality perfectly.
James Forrest has virtually graduated through to Neil Lennon's development squad and has been an unused substitute on a number of occasions for the first team.

As Forrest and others such as Richie Towell, James Keatings and Declan Gallagher move towards the development squad it opens the doors for younger players to be promoted into the u-19 side.

McIntyre added: "We have a lot of our u-17's involved in the u-19 side and that's exciting, against Kilmarnock there were only three u-19 players, the rest are all available at that level again next season.

"All of the substitutes at Kilmarnock played for the u-17's against Hamilton. It's good for them to be involved and to be part of a winning team.

"We tell all the players that if they are good enough they will be given opportunities. 

"A lot of the u-19 squad are now involved with Lenny in the development squad, a few of them played against Shamrock Rovers and did well.

"That was a great experience for them, they were up against men in front of a good crowd will that will benefit them in the long run.

"Whatever age the players are if they are good enough they will be given opportunities.

"Richie Towell is a great example of that, he's impressing with the development squad but gives his all when he's with the 19's.

"Naturally he's wanting to progress, we support him and that's what the development of youth football is all about.

"When players get promoted it gives others an opportunity, when players move up a level and do well it gives us selection problems, that's a healthy state to be in.

"The younger players are putting pressure on the older one's- if you're good enough you are old enough as far as we're concerned."

Youth team face Rangers test on Saturday

Celtic's youth side face Rangers for the first time this season on Saturday at Airdrie's Excelsior Stadium, kick-off 1pm.

Stevie Frail's side are currently four points ahead of Rangers who have a game in hand with just five points seperating the top five teams.

Celtic won 2-1 away at Kilmarnock on Saturday with Frail and his players looking forward to the fixture in which both sides are judged.

The Celtic coach said: "We're going into the match on the back of a win. We won't need to build the players up for a game against Rangers.

"We go into the game at the top of the league and we need to make sure that we stay there.

"Everyone knows how important a Celtic-Rangers game is, we need to beat Rangers, they have a good squad and we'll have to be at our best to beat them.

"Hopefully we can get a good week's prepartion in on the grass at Barrafield, the surface is excellent and that gives us the chance to work on a lot of things."
SPL u-19 table

Charlie Grant battling for new Celtic contract

Seeing Charlie Grant trecking off the pitch with his boots and legs caked in mud was one of the most pleasing sights from last week's friendly with Shamrock Rovers.

It seems ages since he was teaming up with Simon Ferry in the Celtic youth side and showing all the promise in the world.

A long line of recurring injuries all related to the pubic bone have put Grant's career on hold but the midfielder has refused to buckle and after almost three years without playing is back in action.

Celtic awarded the 20-year-old a years extension to his contract last summer, with Grant hoping that he can get his career back on track.

He said: "For three and a half years I've just concentrated on getting myself fit, playing for Celtic or making the first team isn't near the top of my list, just getting myself fit and playing is the priority.

"After playing for Scotland in Poland at the European Championships I was on a high, the injuries got me down but the people at Celtic have helped me through.

"They stuck by me for three years, they've looked after me and gave me a years extension to my contract this season. I've got a few months now to prove myself and repay them.

"I came through the ranks with guys like Darren O'Dea, Paul Caddis and Scott Cuthbert and it's great to see their careers develop, I've been unfortunate with bad luck but it's good that others from that team have made the step up.

"When I look at them I think 'I'm at their level' and hopefully I can kick on and end up where they are."

A conventional leg break or cruciate injury may have been more bearable for the midfielder whose development has been hampered by osteitus pubis.

A google search would be more useful than any description that I could give but other players, noticably Steven Gerrard, have overcome the problem in the past.

Grant explained: "It started off as osteitus pubis but the more that it was looked into it there was different problems. As one problem got sorted another would start. It's been a hellish time picking up different injuries.

"People still ask about me which is great, that means that I made an impression before I got injured.

"Celtic have stuck by me through the couple of years that I've been out and hopefully I can get back to being the player that I was before the injury.

"I don't really have any targets in my mind at the moment beyond getting fit again, once I've managed that we'll see what else develops.

"At the moment I'm getting 10 or 20 minutes here or there in games, it doesn't matter where the games are or what the weather is like, getting on the park means everything to me.

"Whatever happens regarding another contract is down to Celtic but I'll give it my best shot to get an extention.

"Simon Ferry has came through a lot, he was out for two and half years with me. He's turned the corner and is doing well at Swindon. When I look at him I just say 'my luck has got to change sometime' hopefully my luck is changing and I can just kick on."

James McCarthy uses the head and ignores Caldwell

James McCarthy has ignored the advise of Gary Caldwell and will make his full international debut for Ireland against Brazil tomorrow night.

The long road from being rejected by the Scotland u-16 squad to becoming a full internationalist for Ireland will be completed when Giovanni Trapattoni gives the Wigan midfielder his first full cap.

Despite the many obstacles that were put in front of him and hostility throughout the country Caldwell thought that he might be able to sweet talk the 19-year-old into an international u-turn.

McCarthy listened, smiled and ignored Caldwell and will be welcomed warmly into the full Irish set up against Brazil tomorrow night.

"He had a chat with me but nothing was going to change," McCarthy admitted about the Caldwell approach, apparently made with the approval of Craig Levein.

"He (Levein) spoke to Gary about it, as I say, because Ireland have done so well for me in everything they've done for me, I was delighted to be part of it.

"It's a bit frustrating when it keeps coming back now and again. I don't know where it's coming from, I don't know who's saying it, I just have to block it out and just get on with my own game. 

"I got a couple of phone calls from Ireland asking what's happening but I told them from day one that nothing was happening and it's just paper talk."

"Liam Brady was on and I told him nothing was happening and he said to keep working hard at my club and see what happens.

"Scotland said I wasn't good enough, Ireland came in and I was delighted to go and represent Ireland especially for my granddad who was so proud.

"I was told by my advisor at the time that he asked Scotland to put me in a squad, but they said we'll leave him now, he's not better than what we got. 

"Ireland came over and watched my first game and put me in. It was Seán McCaffrey who came over himself and he is a really good fella, he looked after me and my family."

McCarthy won't be a fully fledged internationalist in the eyes of Fifa until he plays a competitive match but even the persuasive powers of Caldwell will find it tricky to turn the situation around.

Portsmouth's Marc Wilson will also be making his full international debut for Ireland after turning his back on Northern Ireland.

The Belfast based association are far from happy about the number of players from the six counties who are opting to join up with the Football Association of Ireland with Everton's Shane Duffy following the example of Derry born Darron Gibson in moving south to experience international football.

With attention turning towards McCarthy the Duncan Ferguson of Irish football, Stephen Ireland, continues his international exile at Manchester City where he regularly pops up questioning the important and purpose of international football.

Paul Hyland of the Evening Herald has produced a great article on the background and politics involved in these decisions CLICK HERE to read it.

Celtic openly criticise referee McDonald after more honest mistakes

For the third time this season honest mistakes have had a major bearing on the Celtic-Rangers fixture.

Unlike the two previous occasions however Celtic have been quick to voice their concerns about the mistakes of referee Dougie McDonald.

The referee's decision to send-off Scott Brown was rash and unwarranted and appeared like the actions of an inexperienced referee reacting to the roar of the crowd.

Without hesitation McDonald, who sent off Aiden McGeady earlier this season against Hibs, went racing to the scene with his red card primed for the Celtic midfielder.

Celtic kept quiet after the previous controversies against Rangers but have come out with all guns blazing this time with McDonald in the firing line.

The comments from the official club website will surely earn a request from the SFA for an explanation unless the governing body decide to sweep refereeing matters under the carpet, again.

Celtic said: "It was a decision which had a major impact on the game and Celtic will now appeal against the red card, which saw Tony Mowbray’s side down to 10 men for the last half-hour of the game.   

"Certainly, the Celtic support in the Broomloan Road Stand and beyond were left mystified and angry at yet another refereeing decision in a derby game this season which has gone against the club.

"In the first derby match of this season at Ibrox back in October, Celtic were denied a blatant penalty by referee Craig Thomson, who admitted after the game that he had made a mistake.

"And in the game against Rangers at Celtic Park, referee Steve Conroy disallowed a Marc-Antoine Fortune goal, though replays showed that there was nothing wrong with the goal.

"Now, Dougie McDonald’s decision is added to that list and will be the major talking point from the game. "

That statement is going to create as much attention as Chris Sutton's outburst against Dunfermline on the final day of the 2002/03 season.

The SFA will have little option but to challenge the statement from Celtic which will open up a can of worms about other refereeing decisions through the season.

Celtic's statement makes no mention of Madjid Bougherra's performance where an early booking seemed to give the Algerian defender license to do anything that he liked without further punishment.

Bougherra had two further fouls given against him for challenges on Robbie Keane but on neither occasion did McDonald feel the need to even speak to the offender.

A further foul by Bougherra in the 71st minute was ignored by McDonald who seven minutes earlier hadn't been slow to flash the red card at Brown.

McDonald will now have to review the incident again as part of Celtic's appeal which should make for an interesting couple of days.

If McDonald admits to making a mistake he'll be congratulated all round for being honest enough to admit to an honest mistake.

If he stands his ground it'll be interesting to see which avenue Celtic decide to take the matter on.

The focus was always going to be on McDonald after George Peat criticised Celtic for discussing refereeing matters with the SFA, as most clubs do.

A simple no comment from Peat would have killed the 'story' stone dead with Rangers manager Walter Smith adding his comments afterwards.

He said: "If somebody was going to criticise a referee they should come out the closet and do it rather than do it in an anonymous manner.

"There is enough pressure on a referee without anyone else bringing things up."

Having bodyswerved the issues all season long the SFA will be in the spotlight having failed to deal with Celtic's earlier concerns about a number of issues.

Celtic haven't made such an official challenge to Scottish football officials since Fergus McCann went to war over the registration of Jorge Cadete.

On that issue the former Celtic chief was derided for chasing after a lost cause, eventually McCann was vindicated and the then SFA Chief Executive Jim Farry was hurriedly removed from office with a line drawn under the affair.

Today's challenge to the SFA's authority is going to be much more public than who did what with faxes sent between Glasgow and Lisbon over a registration.

A feeding frenzy beckons, there is no conspiracy or paranoid involved, Celtic seem to be questioning the repeated honest mistakes of officials which even Hugh Dallas admitted to earlier this month.

Celtic website statement  
Dallas criticises his own