Neil Lennon: Robbie will handle it

by Joe McHugh Neil Lennon expects Robbie Keane to excel in the red hot atmosphere of  tomorrow's Rangers-Celtic clash.

An away win is essential if Celtic are to retain an interest in this season's SPL title with the hopes of the hoops support pinned firmly on Keane who is likely to play at Ibrox despite missing training for most of the week.

Lennon has seen it all in almost a decade at Celtic  and happily admits that there is no tried and tested recipe for success in this this fixture.

At lunchtime tomorrow Ibrox will be a pumped up madhouse of passion with the man from Lurgan believing that the key to success is to avoid being carried away by the frenzy of the fans.

Lennon said: “Robbie is experienced enough and will be looking forward to this match, he'll be very motivated.

“At times you can be too fired up, you have to tone things down a wee bit but Robbie is experienced enough to handle it.

“He's looking forward to the game, he's waited a long time to play in this fixture, it's a great game for him because the importance of it is mammoth.

“It'll be helter-skelter to start off with but once you get through that initial 15/20 minute period you have to try and stamp your authority on the game.”

Lennon added: “You need to feed off the atmosphere and enjoy it. It's very intense but you have to show controlled aggression.

“You can tell players all you want but until they go out there and experience it for themselves there's not really much you can do. Some will revel in it, some won't.

“The fans are all telling you to get stuck in but you just have to be professional in your own mind, keep a cool head and play the game.

“Obviously you are desperate to win the game but you have to be cold in your mind, in my experience the first goal is really important.

“Whoever gets the first goal in these games invariably goes on to win it or at least doesn't get beat.”

Four years ago at Ibrox Lennon lined up alongside Roy Keane as Celtic eased themselves towards the title thanks to a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Majik Zurawski.

The former Manchester United skipper strolled through that match with Lennon impressed by the clinical approach of his midfield partner.

Lennon recalled: “Roy Keane was one of the greatest players of his generation, it was just another big game in a catalogue of big matches for him.

“He was very calm in the dressing room, he wasn't a ranter or raver, he was mature enough by then to know better.

“Anything that he said was controlled, on the pitch he was a bit more aggressive but you are talking about a player with an unbelievable will to win.

“When I joined Celtic Martin O'Neill told me that my first game would be a blur and he was right.

“My first game against Rangers was a League Cup semi-final at Hampden, we won 3-1 and there was three players sent off!

“The first 45 minutes flew by, fortunately the next fixture was also against Rangers so I knew exactly what was coming and I was more prepared for it.

“Everyone handles things differently and I'm looking forward to seeing Robbie playing against Rangers."

Wonder goal from Keatings keeps Celtic youths on top

by Joe McHugh A wonder goal from James Keatings earned Celtic a win over Kilmarnock to keep the u-19s at the top of the table.

Stevie Frail's side dominated the match throughout but missed a catalogue of chances that almost allowed the home side to take a point.

Johny Marsden's first half header was cancelled out midway through the second half but a 25 yarder from Keatings ensured that Celtic took all three points.

Frail said: "We played well in a lot of areas but went to sleep for their goal.

"It was a good win for us, we've played a lot of really good football but sometimes you have to play against the conditions and the pitch wasn't easy.

"We did a lot of good things, we'll get them on the training ground this week and will be working on our finishing.

"It was an attacking formation that we put out today, we had two up front, two wide attacking midfielders and Grant Gallagher in midfield allowed Filip Twardzik to push further forward."

Gallagher moved into midfield and was replaced at right-back by Curtis Jones, in attack Johny Marsden partnered Greig Spence with Richie Towell on international duty with Ireland and Darren McCauley injured.

The pitch wasn't the best but was certainly playable at the Kilwinning Sports Centre with small sided girls football and a driving range surrounding the pitch. 

Celtic's attacking line up saw them take the game to the homeside with Keatings prominent on the left and Fitzharris impressing on the right flank.

In 22 minutes Celtic took the lead when Marsden powered an impressive header over the home 'keeper from Keatings inviting cross.

"We spoke in training through the week that we hadn't scored many goals like that so it was very pleasing", Frail added.

"Johny attacked the ball well and finished it well, James Keatings put in a really good delivery."

Celtic really should have been further in front before the interval but were let down by poor finishings.

Kilmarnock were barely able to mount an attack on the Celtic goal but despite having the bulk of possession and creating numerous chances Celtic went in at the break one goal ahead.

Five minutes into the second half Twardzik rattled the crossbar from a 25 yard free kick.

Spence and Marsden were creating good openings but unable to find the net with the fear of an equaliser for the home side realised in the 68th minute when a defensive misunderstanding allowed the Kilmarnock No 7 to net from 15 yards out.

Any thoughts of a repeat of last week's draw with Hamilton were dispelled four minutes later with a spectacular goal from Keatings.

After cutting in from the left flank an attempted pass to Twardzik was blocked by a Kimarnock midfielder. With space and options limited Keatings let rip with a powerful shot at goal that left the Killie 'keeper helpless as the ball flew into the net.

 "It was a special goal," Frail smiled. "James picked the ball up 25 yards out and struck it fantastically well into the top corner.

"We deserved the points, we created a lot of chances which is pleasing and we'll need to work on our finishing through the week."

After going in front Bahrudin Atajic and Patrik Twardzik replaced Marsden and Spence with Atajic having a goal disallowed for offside five minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Rangers drew 0-0 at home to Dundee United leaving Celtic four points ahead of the Ibrox side ahead of next Saturday's Celtic-Rangers game, Rangers do have a game in hand.

STARTING TEAM: Giordano; Jones, Hughes, D Gallagher, Lowden; Fitzharris (Ordish 87), G Gallagher, F Twardzik, Keatings; Marsden ( P Twardzik 75), Spence ( Atajik 75): SUBS, Fairley, Feruz, Chalmers, McGregor
FINISHING TEAM: Giordano, Jones, Hughes, D Gallagher, Lowden; Ordish, G Gallagher, F Twardzik, Keatings; P Twardzik, Atajik

Mowbray's total disbelief at decisions

Tony Mowbray has admitted to total disbelief over some of the decisions that have gone against Celtic this season.

The build-up to Sunday's third derby match of the season has been dominated by news that Celtic have been in talks with the SFA about a number of decisions that have gone against them this season. 

The timing of the story has piled extra pressure on Sunday's referee Dougie McDonald who sent off Aiden McGeady for simulation earlier this season against Hibs.

Celtic are believed to have raised various issues with the SFA including key decisions that went against them in this season's earlier matches against Rangers.

Last night Mowbray told Celtic's own Channel 67 service: "The last time that we went to Ibrox there were some huge decisions that didn't go our way to the extent that the official apologised the next day for getting some big decisions wrong.

"When I look back in the cold light of day and analyse some of the decisions that have gone against us this season, some of the time it's with total disbelief about how they came to those decisions.

"If the reports are right it will only bring clarification.

"I don't think that anyone would ever question the integrity of the officials anywhere in world football but in my own mind there has been a lot of decisions that I've found very difficult to understand.

"When I've looked back on them I've thought 'that can't be right'. There is a big game to come and this is probably not the time to discuss referees.

"What I do know is that we have a big game on Sunday and hopefully the referee has a good game and gets all the major decisions right."

Tom Boyd backs Celtic's referee questioning

Former Celtic captain Tom Boyd has backed the club's case in demanding questions about refereeing matters this season.

The exact content of discussions between Celtic and the SFA are unclear but after George Pleat confirmed the story to the BBC it's been open season with all sorts of speculation about what Celtic have questioned.

Boyd captained Celtic through many dramas on the park and knows the ways of the refereeing world where his brother reached the heights of refereeing SPL reserve matches.

The whole refereeing debate will dominate the build up to Sunday's Rangers-Celtic match with Boyd providing evidence of what he refers to as mystifying decisions.

"On the evidence of what we have seen this season there has been evidence of a lot of outrageous decisions," Boyd told the BBC.

"That's not just coming from Celtic supporters, you have to look at the comments of managers within the Premier League who have echoed some of the feelings of Celtic supporters.

"Craig Levein, when he was Dundee United managed, said that he was disappointed that Darren Dods didn't hold onto the ball with both hands when giving away what should have been a penalty.

"Eddie May when he was the Falkirk manager also said that Celtic should have had a stonewall penalty.

"Certainly this season Celtic have had been far the victims of lot of honest mistakes."

Discussing the timing of this story Boyd laughed: "I would imagine that Sir Alex Ferguson would have been proud of the timing of this.

"It's came out at this time by George Peat coming out and having a say, reacting to a Celtic source giving it to the BBC.

"For me this is not before time. This is something that should have been looked into. Obviously Celtic and the SFA are having discussions but is there any good time for anything like this to come out?

"It's came out at this stage and for me Celtic are doing the right thing by going to the SFA and just querying about the incompetentsy of referees this season."

Asked about any possibility of bias from the SFA Boyd quickly distanced himself from that suggestion.

He replied: "No, certainly not, I think that there is a helluva lot of incompetency by referees this season.

"There has certainly been irregularities going by the letter of the law in things like goal celebrations. Penalty decisions certainly haven't been equal over the course and that'll have been something that Celtic have highlighted in their approach to the SFA.

"There are other decisions through the course of the season which seem to be mystifying, incidents like Lafferty's challenge on Andreas Hinkel in the last Old Firm game which just earned him a yellow card. Everybody would have seen that that should have been a straight red card.

"There have certainly been a higher proportion of incidents that have gone against Celtic and they have done the right thing by going to the SFA and expressing their concerns that things seem to be against them this season."

Tom Boyd interview (only viewable in the UK)

Lennon rules out return of Reserve League

Neil Lennon has ruled out any move from Celtic to revive the SPL Reserves.

Celtic were against the demise of the Reserve League at the end of last season but after picking up the pieces and arranging a variety of friendlies Lennon doesn't see much purpose in a return to the old ways.

The weather at Shamrock Rovers Tallaght Stadium was much like Airdrie's New Broomfield on a Tuesday afternoon but with over 5,000 supporters present there was a good edge to the game.

It was the fifth time that Lennon has taken his development squad to Ireland this season with the former club captain delighted by the progress he's been witnessing.

"The fact that we are playing games like this rather than in the Reserve League I feel is far far more beneficial for everyone," Lennon admitted after the Shamrock Rovers match.

"I don't know how much we would gain out of a Reserve League.

"We've won it eight years in a row but there's been nothing (playerwise) knocking on the door for a while.

"This season we've gone to England to play Blackburn, Everton, Chelsea, Huddersfield and Newcastle.

"In Ireland we've played Cork, Drogheda and now Shamrock Rovers and the only disappointment for us this season was against Cliftonville when we lost 3-0 but we've not lost a game since then.

"We're making great inroads and I'm really pleased with the maturity and confidence of the players.

"They are playing against different opponents, Shamrock Rovers had a lot of mature experienced players and the English opponents that we've played have been good tests for our players."

Mixing together the needs of emerging u-19 players like Richie Towell and James Forrest with keeping up the fitness levels of Mark Wilson and Paul Caddis can be demanding.

American 'keeper Dominic Cervi, Lithuanian Anton Vallers and Filip Twardzik from the Czech Republic were amongst those involved against Shamrock Rovers as they attempt to develop their Celtic careers.

As a player Lennon led from the front with a verbal bite as sharp as his tackling and while he has to adapt a slightly softer approach to his coaching job he admits that it's impossible to forget the old ways.

"I don't think that you can change your spots," he added. "Sometimes I have to look at the players personalities and weight up what players can and can't take.

"Sometimes I get a good reaction from them and other times it's a bad reaction, I put that down to experience but I am what I am. I like to win and try to transmit that over to the players as well.

"I've got an interesting group of players to work with, we're trying to mold them into a unit while changing the team regularly.

"Jason Marr played his first full game in a while and Declan Gallagher also came in for his first match, there are some really good players bubbling under.

"They need wee reminders now and then but I try not to overload them with too much, I have to let them breathe and express themselves out on the pitch.

"The manager wants to see an expansive game and we encourage them to play as much as they can while working hard for the full 90 minutes.

"I'm enjoying this role more than I maybe anticipated, it's great to be helping players out as they start off in the game, we've got a lot of potential coming through at this club."

Celtic voice refereeing concerns?

The phrase 'BBC Scotland understands' needs to be treated very carefully as the state broadcaster doesn't have a particularly special record when it comes to 'understanding' football matters.

With their license fee funded status the BBC can't really be seen to be having a shot in the dark at stories heard on the grapevine which is where they can make use of the 'understands' card.

Tonight BBC Scotland understands that Celtic have contacted the SFA to raise concerns about the standards of refereeing this season- an issue that most Celtic supporters will have commented on to some extent.

Falling for the bait is the illustrious George Peat, the man who saw Airdrieonians into oblivion before finding a liferaft at Stenhousemuir in order to retain his SFA blazer.

Taking the 'story' to Pleat the BBC knew that they were on a winner and off we go with the story that will overshadow everything else in the run up to Sunday's Rangers-Celtic game.

Pleat's diplomatic skills are as refined as the ousted John McBeth whose scatter gun quotes about leading FIFA figures led to him being booted out of the SFA and off some top FIFA committees.

Unable to resist the priceless 'no comment' reply Pleat has waded in feet first and kicked off a classic rammy leading into Sunday's match.

"We find it disappointing and somewhat bizarre that, in the build-up to an Old Firm derby, an unnamed Celtic 'source' would seek to exert additional pressure on match officials by issuing ill-timed and fundamentally inaccurate comments," blabbed the error-prone SFA President.

"The validity of these comments is questionable in any case, since the 'source' is not courageous enough to put his name to them.

"In actual fact, discussions between the Scottish FA and Celtic have taken place, but the contents of these discussions will remain private, as was agreed with the club.

"I am sure the Celtic chief executive, Peter Lawwell, will be concerned by the fact that someone has elected to speak on behalf of his club, seemingly without consent, and therefore undermined his authority."

I am equally sure that Celtic will be less than thrilled that Pleat has commented on matters which 'the contents of these discussions will remain private' as Pleat himself stated to the BBC.

Well they certainly aren't private any more are they George?

While attention will now be drawn again to the sub-standard refereeing performances of Craig Thompson and Steve Conroy in this season's Celtic-Rangers games that situation was pre-empted by Hugh Dallas last week when he admitted to disappointing decisions from his whistlers.

Pleat's own position must surely be scrutinised after this ill-advised, or carefully planned, comment but looking through the ranks of the SFA office bearers there are no obvious candidates ready to step in and offer sensible guidance and leadership.
BBC story link

Hugh Dallas disappointing decisions

Delight for Lenny as striker Caddis earns Celtic a draw.

by Joe McHugh Paul Caddis was the unlikely goal hero as Celtic's development squad drew 1-1 with Shamrock Rovers.

After a day of heavy rain mixed with flurries of snow a near capacity crowd filled the Tallaght Stadium to watch a keenly contested draw in the battle of the hoops.

The traditional hoops of Shamrock Rovers took the lead through an eighth minute penalty put away by Stephen Bradley but Caddis equalised for the bumblebees midway through the second half.

Mark Wilson and Caddis were the only players to have started a first team match in the Celtic side with Neil Lennon as ever putting together a mixture of players at various stages in their career.

Sean Fitzharris was given his first outing at this level playing as a striker alongside Paul McGowan while Jason Marr made a welcome return to defence.

"I had a young team, my remit is to look at the younger players and this was a great exercise and experience for them," Neil Lennon said afterwards.

"It's good for them to play in front of a crowd against a well organised, mature team.

"We went a goal down early but showed a lot of patience to come back into the match, maybe we should have gone on to win it. There's a great desire about this group of players."

Giant American Dominic Cervi was in goals for Celtic with Wilson and Danny Lafferty at full-back either side of Declan Gallagher and Marr.

Local favourite Richie Forrest was partnered in centre midfield by Anton Vallers with Caddis playing wide right and James Keatings on the opposite flank behind a front two of McGowan and Fitzharris.

It took Celtic longer to adapt to the conditions which saw play bogged down by some surface water in certain areas but the ball skipping through in others.

Gallagher was judged to have fouled Graham Barrett in the eighth minute with Bradley burying the penalty kick.

Celtic's slick passing was finding difficulties in the tricky conditions but with two strikers under 5 ft 9 it would have been pointless to revert to the long ball.

Gradually Lennon's side worked their way into the match with the understanding between Caddis and McGowan carving out a couple of chances.

Caddis put in a couple of inswinging free-kicks from the left hand side that had the home defence in bother but there were few clear cut chances for goalkeeper Alan Mannus to deal with.

At the start of the second half Caddis and Keatings switched wings as the game opened up with Caddis and McGowan causing the Rovers defence all sorts of bother.

Ten minutes into the second period Caddis forced a good save from Mannus after playing a 1-2 with Wilson with McGowan testing the keeper four minutes later with a 20 yard drive.

After 68 minutes Filip Twardzik, wearing blue! boots, replaced Fitzharris with Caddis moving forward to partner McGowan and the substitute filling in in left midfield.

That change paid dividends in the 70th minute when McGowan picked up the ball midway inside the Rovers half the instantly passed to Caddis. The Scotland u-21 skipper found Wilson overlapping down the right then created space for himself in the box to tuck his shot beyong Mannus from the return pass.

Twardzik struck the bar with seven minutes left to play as Celtic chased a winner against their tiring opponents but no-one was unhappy that the match finished level.

STARING TEAM: Cervi; Wilson, Marr, D Gallagher (Tolmie 82), Lafferty; Caddis, Towell, Vallers (Grant 82), Keatings ( G Gallagher 77)); Fitzharris (F Twardzik 68), McGowan

FINISHING TEAM Cervi; G Gallagher, Tolmie, Marr, Lafferty; Wilson, Towell, Grant, Twardzik; Caddis, McGowan

Dublin Diary: Trapattoni's high praise for James McCarthy

by Joe McHugh Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has spoke in glowing terms about James McCarthy and gone as far as comparing the teenager with two of the greatest players that Italy has ever produced.

The midfielder from Castlemilk, overlooked by Archie Knox for Scotland, has been named in the full Ireland squad for next week's Emirates Stadium friendly against Brazil alongside Aiden McGeady and Robbie Keane.

Despite the overtures of Craig Levein, and attention of Gary Caldwell, McCarthy has never wavered from his decision to play for Ireland and has respected the FAI's decision not to fast-track him into earning a phoney cap to prevent him from changing his mind.

Trapattoni hasn't even attempted to win over the Irish media or public in the manner of Jack Charlton and has been criticised for failing to attend a single Eircom League match despite being international manager.

The former Juventus manager has remained at his base in Italy and avoided the networking that countryman Fabio Capello has put in attempting to build a squad to lift the World Cup.

McCarthy has started just seven Premiership games since moving from Hamilton to Wigan, all of them since the turn of the year, but has done enough to earn the praise of his international boss.

Trapattoni said: "McCarthy can play right, left. I saw him two or three times. I'd like to ask him which position he likes. He can play behind the striker, sometimes left, sometimes right -- we need to look at his quality and personality.

"Sure he has talent -- like Rivera, Mazzola, they became very great with experience. They had good quality. It's important when this personality develops. He's fast and confident on the ball. He could be important for us.

"Yes, there was a danger that he could go to Scotland. If we speak too much about players, the other countries would be there waiting." 

McCarthy is one of three new faces brought into the full international squad as Ireland attempt to move on from their controversial World Cup exit to France.

A rigid 4-4-2 formation throughout their World Cup qualifying campaign made Ireland hard to beat but was perceived as being inflexable by many supporters.

After difficult campaigns under Brian Kerr and Steve Staunton the Irish have got high hopes of qualifying for the 2012 European Championships with the development of McCarthy crucial to Trapattoni's plans.

He added: "We try the players, they change the system. I have an idea that it's possible to change when players can adapt themselves to the change. 

"It's not the system, it's the players. I can't put it in practice unless I have the players. At this moment, no, it's not possible to change. 

"Maybe with (James) McCarthy when he becomes experienced, it's possible to change. Before me, the system was different, but Ireland lose. For me, it was important to look at a system and adapt it to the players. I have used many, many systems, not always 4-4-2."

Elsewhere in Dublin there is speculation that Portsmouth's on-loan midfielder Jamie O'Hara could be thinking over electing to play for Ireland.

The decision of Everton defender Shane Duffy, a regular for the Northern Ireland u-21 side, to switch to Ireland has been greeted with some delight.

Nigel Worthington was forced to admit at his squad announcement that Duffy had chosen to move south to further his international career, following the example set by Darron Gibson of Manchester United.

Sadly, but not surprisingly, Cork City have been denied a licence to play in the top division but a supporters group has been set up to continue football in the city and are hopeful of kicking off the new season in Division One against Derry City.

The Cork supporters have been working closely with the 400 Group at Shamrock Rovers who have revived the club from the ashes with Neil Lennon's development squad visiting Tallaght Stadium tonight in front of a sell-out 6,500 crowd.

Kevin Kyle on refereeing attitudes

Kevin Kyle has spoken out about the attitude of referee's and their lack of understanding for the game.

The former Sunderland striker is one of the most physical strikers in the SPL but fears that the aloof attitude of refs could drive him over the edge.

Kilmarnock against St Mirren is hardly one of the toughest fixtures in the game but Kyle felt that referee Alan Muir managed to dominate and spoil Saturday's match.

Muir hasn't yet hogged many headlines but Kyle's comments illustrate the frustrations that professionals feel when an official is attempting to tone down the natural physical aspects of the game.

The Killie striker said: "It got heated because the referee made it that way. There's 22 grown men out there and surely you can nudge each other now and again and be physical without being dirty?

"The referee stopped it for everything. It was almost as if the referee was blowing up for a foul before the ball even got to the player it was aimed at."

Kyle added: "I praise referees when they have done well but he was shocking on Saturday. I don't know why I was booked, it wasn't even a foul.

"Not everybody in football is friends but you still talk to players on the pitch at times when the ball's out. So I was saying to Lee Mair and John Potter 'you tell me that's a free-kick?' and they were turning back to me and saying 'it's never been a free kick'.

"I just don't know what referees see. I know we're at home and the crowd are in our favour but can 5,000 people and the players really be all wrong?

The gaffer told me at half time to calm down and I know I've got anger-management problems but that would send a guy crazy!"

Attention seeker Thompson marks Keane's card

by Joe McHugh In his day-glo lemon and lime outfit there was never any doubt that referee Craig Thompson was out to make an impact at the Celtic-Dundee United match.

In a season of puzzling refereeing decisions Thompson has been to the fore with Hugh Dallas forced into issuing an apology for one mistake made by Thompson in the October 4 Rangers-Celtic match.

For reasons unknown, Thompson failed to notice Shaun Maloney being fouled in the penalty box which should have given Celtic a penalty, which could of course have been missed, and resulted in a yellow or red card for Rangers captain David Weir.

Later on in the same match Maloney and Mark Wilson were booked for simulation in the box.

Yesterday was Thompson's first SPL match at Celtic Park of the season and it appears that time hasn't improved his judgement.

Not so long ago it used to be said that the sign of a good referee was one that got through the match un-noticed, these days a number of referees seem to think that they are the main attraction.

From early on in the match it was clear that Thompson was there to make an impact with Robbie Keane of particular interest.

In the eighth minute Keane showed a good turn of pace to break clear of Gary Kenneth but the United player used his bulk to get himself back between Keane and the ball and managed to hold off the Celtic striker as the ball went out of play.

An every day incident that annoys supporters but is an accepted part of the game. Keane was frustrated but didn't overly indulge in dramatics other than the usual strikers annoyance at a chance being missed.

Cue Thompson for his first intervention.

Rather than having a quiet word with Keane as play resumes the referee decided to break the game up by calling Keane over for a very public reprimand. From that moment on the Celtic support were looking out for every decision from the referee which seemed to suit Thompson nicely.

It's a favourite footballing cliche to say that it wasn't a dirty game after seven or eight bookings are issued but yesterday's match certainly wasn't overly physical.

Thompson's previous five SPL matches had brought about nine yellow cards- in 90 minutes yesterday he managed to book five players with the prize scalp of Keane coming in the 80th minute.

The on-loan Spurs striker had had a physical afternoon up against Kenneth and Andy Webster and had given as good as he had got.

With one challenge from Webster appearing more physical than usual the Celtic striker expected to be given a foul- not so with Thompson.

Keane then ran, hardly sprinting or racing, towards the referee and virtually without looking up, almost anticipating/hoping that it would be Keane the referee was reaching for his pocket and yellow carding the striker.

Several times in every game players are seen questioning referees, rarely does it result in an instant yellow card.

When a player refuses to accept the referees word and continues to nip back he can expect a yellow card.

All sorts of players have running discussions with referees throughout the game with respect coming from both sides when it's dealt with in a mature manner.

One of the criticisms of the card system is that it cuts out dialogue between officials and players, referees can reach for the card in retaliation without even speaking to the offender.

Keane's booking was the perfect example of that and how a referee can issue a card without explanation or justification.

This week Hugh Dallas is apparently taking some referees off to Spain for a summit and review of the season, we await the outcome with trepadation.