Rangers will be furious as new SPL decision emerges ahead of Old Firm showdown v Celtic
Rangers and Philippe Clement could not have more riding on the final Premiership derby of the season as they prepare to make the trip across Glasgow.
The Light Blues face Brendan Rodgers’ side at Parkhead on Saturday (11 May) knowing that they simply have to win to keep their slim title hopes alive, anything less than three points will hand Celtic the title.
However, the Gers could have been hit with a new early blow after it was confirmed that Willie Collum would be the man to take charge of the crucial crunch match [Rangers Review, 7 May], having already been shrouded in controversy this season.
The official was at the eye of a media storm earlier this season after Clement’s side were denied a penalty in the first Old Firm clash at Parkhead when the ball appeared to strike Alistair Johnston’s arm in the penalty area.
No spot-kick was awarded however, with later replays suggesting that the VAR had not awarded a penalty because of an apparent offside. However, the released audio of the incident showed that Collum never mentioned this at the time.
What followed was a complete meltdown from those in charge at Ibrox with reports suggesting that those in charge at Ibrox made a request to the SFA to ask that the official never worked on another one of the Gers’ games [David Edgar, 3 January].
That request was panned by supporters and pundits alike and was denied by the SFA and Collum eventually took charge of another game at Ibrox, the Scottish Cup clash with Ayr United where he was accused of bottling decisions.
Will Rangers beat Celtic to the Scottish Premiership title under Philippe Clement?
While the reaction to Collum’s mistake was ridiculous over the top from fans and the Gers alike, those in charge at Ibrox will likely be furious that arguably their biggest game of the season has now been put in his hands.
Hopefully, the clash will pass by without any controversial incidents otherwise the usual chat around conspiracies will begin again. But this feels like a risk that the SFA simply didn’t have to take.
In other Rangers news, Danilo has shared a new injury update after Clement confirmed his season had been brought to an end
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