Ex-referee calls for Willie Collum to hang up the boots after mistakes in Rangers win v St Johnstone
Des Roache believes Willie Collum should walk away from refereeing after coming under heavy criticism for “three mistakes” he made in the Rangers clash against St Johnstone at the weekend.
The experienced whistler awarded Nicky Clark a red card before deeming Ryan Jack’s challenge moments later a yellow after being sent to the VAR monitor to check his decision.
The Gers were also awarded a contentious penalty after 14 minutes for a handball, which Michael Beale even deemed was “harsh”. [The Scottish Sun, 28 January]
As shared via Football Scotland (Monday 30 January), former referee Roache has torn into Collum for his decision-making and questioned whether the SFA could continue to stand beside him.
“The penalty call was wrong in my view,” he told Grosvenor Sport.
“James Brown couldn’t possibly get out of the way when the ball hit his arm. It was never a red card when Nicky Clark challenged Ryan Jack – and Jack should have been sent off for his challenge on Adam Montgomery. So there were three mistakes.
“Everyone can have a bad day at the office – a player or a referee – but when you continue to have bad days then what happens? Do the SFA continue to appoint him?
“I think it is time he’s held accountable, and that’s up to the SFA and the referee’s committee. They have to decide what games he gets now.
“If it was me, I would take myself out of the equation. His best days are behind him. As I say, if I was making as many highlighted errors, I would take myself out of the limelight.”
Controversy
Collum was certainly in the spotlight on Saturday afternoon, and he did make some dubious calls for the Rangers penalty and the potential sending-off for midfielder Jack.
The challenge from Jack just moments after the red card was awarded to Clark should probably have been given a similar treatment, although he was just given a yellow card in the end. Even though VAR intervened and sent Collum to the monitor, he decided to back his decision and keep the damage limited to a yellow.
The Gers would likely have won the match either way, as they were dominant throughout and looked like the far superior team, but Collum’s decision-making would have added further fuel to the VAR hate train.
Insisting Collum should retire is a little far-fetched, but Collum should potentially be given a little bit of time away from the big fixtures and try to keep himself out of the headlines.
In other Rangers news, a transfer fee has been agreed overnight as Beale seals another January signing.