I'm putting myself up here to be shot down but IMO Willie Collum will always be a problem for Celtic.
His 'background' (Teacher in an RC school, etc) has for some reason been more widely advertised than that of any other Scottish referee...with the possible exception of Timothy Michael McCurry. We all know what religion Willie is. Strangely I've never read anything about Craig Thomson's religion or Calum Murray's. I don't even know what religion Hugh Dallas is (sorry...went too far there!).
My opinion of Willie Collum is that (at least at this point in his career) he lacks to backbone to referee Celtic or Rangers games. This, combined with the publicity given to his religious beliefs, means that he is overly careful not to be seen to favour Celtic or be accused of being 'anti-Rangers'.
On that basis he will give 50/50 decisions against Celtic more often than not and 50/50 decisions in favour of Rangers the majority of the time. It's the same sort of thing that causes him to imagine penalties in favour of Rangers.
You see the same thing all the time in kids football to a lesser extent. The parent of one of the players is asked to referee the game....he constantly gives decisions against his own son/daughter's side because he doesn't want to appear biased.
Willie lacks the strength of character to referee these games entirely fairly. He is the sort of man who often ends up in a role where he has power through a uniform...soldiering and police work are a touch on the dangerous side so they often end up as referees or ministers of religion.
I'm giving an opinion here..not making excuses. Celtic will rise above it all and win 3- 1 regardless.
Willie Collum - getting in there early!
posted on 27/12/11
The OP is the biggest pile of utter tripe I've seen on these boards ALL season
Get yer head out ur a_se ya paranoid plonker and live in the real world.
Tight game 2moro night and I reckon it'll be a draw.
posted on 27/12/11
Papa,
Whit real world is that...FREE FROM CORRUPTION
Or a JA606 night oot world
posted on 27/12/11
It's not paranoia if it's based on fact. His religion has received an extraordinary degree of coverage in the press. In his last OF game he gave a decision to Rangers for which the only explanation was the one I have given.
And I'm not suggesting he is anti-Celtic...simply that he suffers from a normal human reaction.
posted on 27/12/11
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posted on 27/12/11
"His religion has received an extraordinary degree of coverage in the press"
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An "extraordinary degree"? Not really. And so you didn't like one of his decisions. Doesn't that apply to every other referee as well?
posted on 27/12/11
Zach, I think that most folk would agree with your no. 3
posted on 27/12/11
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posted on 27/12/11
Zach, when did rationality ever come into OF discussions?
posted on 27/12/11
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posted on 27/12/11
3 he made a mistake like many refs do,
+++
In Rangers' favour