So, the SFA has finally decided the name of the man who will take over as the head of refereeing, and the name is a shocking one, with wide-ranging implications. As a Celtic blogger I am highly amused by it in one sense, but in another I am deeply dismayed because the association is no more open to change and reform than parts of our club are.
The guy who will head up Scotland’s officiating is … Willie Collum.
The meltdown in Sevconia is all-too-easy to predict; this will go down like a lead weight and their club’s fury need only be imagined. They have accused him of bias and tried to get him out of their fixtures entirely.
Now he’s running the whole damned show, with a wide-ranging remit.
The man they trust least is now where they would least want him.
The irony is delicious, and in many ways richly satisfying.
Celtic’s manager praised Collum earlier in the season as our very best official, back when Ibrox was demanding he never darken their door again. It is easy to see why for some inside our club this would be darkly funny and even seen as a step in the right direction.
I thought, for example, he had a very good game at Celtic Park.
He needed a second look at the Lundstram decision, but showed the red card. He gave us the penalty and didn’t change his mind.
But there are obvious concerns.
This is really not the name we wanted from a reform point of view. Nowhere near it. We wanted someone from outside Scotland, to come in here with a fresh perspective and to offer some original thinking.
This is another dire internal appointment.
They claimed to have done one of those “extensive searches”; funny that it produced a similar result to the one which brought Mark Lawwell to Celtic. Who knew in a world of high-quality operators that the answer was working at Hampden all along eah?
It’s amateur hour. It makes our game a laughing stock. These people have no interest in reform.
The SFA is one big clubby job scheme for those already inside the walls. Collum is the country’s best official, the only one genuinely respected by UEFA, but this is still a ridiculous promotion and one that does nothing more than paper over the cracks.
Still, Ibrox will hate it. There is no doubt about that.
Obviously, this is a story which is going to develop as the day goes on … but it’s certainly not the appointment most of us wanted, which was for someone from outside Scotland to come in with a big shovel and a pail and start clearing that place out.
Instead we get this … wholly unsatisfying, though definitely amusing.
Wonderful. Hope wee Wullie holds a grudge,
It’s funny how things change,,,, its also funny how they stay the same,,same old,, same old,
Sevco ain’t going to like this , as you said James highly amusing right enough, HA
Astonishingly the SFA are claiming that, after interviewing candidates from no fewer than 4 continents, Willie Collum was the outstanding candidate. They’re just trolling us now. Either that or someone is druggin the tea at Hampden
Maybe this Appointment is to keep Mr Collum Sweet in the Hope he does not Divulge in Incide Information???
James, do you not mean Jobby Club???
Does mean sevco got what they wanted, he won’t referee any more of their games.
Bloody Hell – Not ideal but it could’ve been a helluva lot worse…
As in….
CHEATIN’ BEATON !!!!
Mr Beaton Must be Bitterly ???
collum is not biased he is just incompetent the worst ref i have seen in my life.
All the huns I know are spewing over this . They were spewing when he gave us a penalty and sent lundstram off .. they agreed when I said on Saturday . That’s what you get for pissing the guy off . Their answer of course was but he’s a Tim , shouldnae be allowed to referee a rangers game. Spewed even more when I told them he was refereeing a Celtic game. Hail hail Willie Collum
Predictably ye just know, it’s Celtic and the ‘fenian conspiracy’ who’ll get the blame for this appointment, by some of these numbskulls. Imo they should be happy. Thats one less unbiased ref they need tae worry about. Tho they’ll no be complainin about beaton gettin the var Cup final gig will they !? We’re gonnae have tae dae that one ourselves as well on the day.
I don’t actually mind this appointment. As long as he’s not biased it’s a step up and improvement for Celtic.
If one came from England it would be no different. An English mason would have as much love for Celtic as a Scottish one, all tarred with the same brush. Collum only got the job to save their blushes. They won`r have the quandary of wondering how to keep him out of officiating at Ibrox next season.
The Orange Lodge works better in the shadows – having Beaton and the loyal Brethren away from the lime-light is the ideal way to help the 12 year old club.
What sweeping changes is Collum going to introduce . . .
‘Letting angry crowds be your guide!’
Angry face refereeing!
Let Tory Leader makes red card decisions.
Inviting Refs to read the rules book. . .
William SEAN Collum, RE teacher at a catholic high school becomes new Ref boss. Conspiracy, can’t wait to see the rangers official reply to that.
They were always going in house. Collum is probably the best of those options, as for all his flaws (there are many) he doesn’t act out of bias conscious or unconscious. I’m actually fairly confident he will change the culture a bit, which is all we need really.
He’s the best of a bad bunch no doubt . Hopefully we will see a change in ref attitudes next seaon tho I won’t hold my breath to long . HH .
Great choice. I’ve always liked Willie. He makes some mistakes but on the whole he tries to be fair.
He is Certainly a well Educated Man.
I hope he will be seen and heard; unlike like his predecessor who only appeared to have a go at Celtic then popped back into his box.
Can’t wait to hear the rambling about the “unseen fenian hand” in this one (eye roll)…
Alternatively WC could be a poacher turned gamekeeper.
People ask
What does poacher to gamekeeper mean?
Proverbial saying, late 14th century, meaning that someone who has formerly taken part in wrongdoing knows best how to counter it in others (often used allusively in the form poacher turned gamekeeper).
As a much maligned individual who better to turn to in order to change perceptions of referees.
Who knows WC might favour the principle of separation of responsibilities set out I’m this proposed AGM resolution.
https://sentinelcelts.com/2024/03/22/resolution-on-refereeing-standards/