SFA axes official after high-profile Rangers controversy in brutal Hampden move

Rangers and Celtic have both been involved in separate controversies which have now led to the axe of an official by the SFA.

Willie Collum has made the brutal decision following an incident in the Scottish League Cup final in December between the two sides with Rangers the victim.

The next has been for an incorrect call between Celtic and Hibernian in February, now resulting in an eventual axe.

Rangers incident contributes to official axe

Rangers and Celtic played out a pulsating 3-3 draw at Hampden Park in December, with Brendan Rodgers' side eventually wrestling back the trophy from the Gers via penalties.

But Rangers felt a massive sense of injustice as the heartache peaked after the final, with Alan Muir part of a review team ruling for a free-kick which should have been a penalty when Alastair Johnson was penalised for a pull-back on Vaclav Cerny on the edge of the box, which continued into the 18-yard area.

Willie Collum ran the rule over Muir for that call, and then after a decision which cost Celtic against Hibs two months later, the VAR official was initially thrown off matches for two weeks, as highlighted by the Scottish Sun (8 April).

Now, Muir has been told his VAR career is over as Collum throws the book at him - with the standards of Scottish football officiating considered to be thrown into doubt.

It's a bold call by Collum, but one felt necessary after decisions which affected both of the nation's top two clubs within weeks of one another.

Clement and Rodgers were both incensed with Muir

After Rangers and Celtic were both affected by decisions deemed to have been incorrect under Muir's watch, then-Gers boss Philippe Clement as well as Rodgers were beside themselves with anger.

Not to mention the supporters of both sides - especially Rangers, who could argue their opportunity to retain the League Cup rested on that decision.

Fast-forward four months from that particular day at Hampden, and Gers are in stark danger of ending this season without a trophy, unless they can produce the unthinkable and go all the way in the Europa League.

With Barry Ferguson leading the troops, that mission resumes Thursday against Athletic Club at Ibrox (10 April).