The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Gordon hits out over SFA’s rules system
Disciplinary procedure ‘strange’, says keeper
Celtic keeper Craig Gordon has called for clarity in the Scottish Football Association’s “clouded” disciplinary procedure which, he suggests, leaves them open to questions around club allegiances.
A rulebook change during the summer has resulted in several controversial decisions this season – the most recent being when a panel of three former referees decided that there was no case for Rangers keeper Allan McGregor to answer after his kick out at Hoops defender Kristoffer Ajer during the Old Firm game at Parkhead.
Ahead of Celtic’s trip to St Mirren tonight, Gordon said: “It seems quite a clouded subject in how they get to the decisions.
“As far as I am aware it goes to the three (former) referees, that there is no comeback and you don’t know who they are. It is a strange system.
“You never know who the referees are, who their allegiances (to) might be.
“I just think that is probably not the best way to go about it. I am not saying I have the answers but certainly if there are incidents that the referee misses, there has to be that system in place that there is retrospective action and they should be getting that right.”
Asked if the lack of retrospective punishment for McGregor could lead people to think perhaps some of those on the former referees’ panel might have a view for a certain reason, Gordon said: “We don’t know who the panel is, so it is hard to know either way.
“I just think it makes it look like there is that possibility and it shouldn’t be that.
“We just need to know what exactly is happening, what is violent conduct and what is not and then everybody abides by those laws and gets on with it.”
New St Mirren manager Oran Kearney insists he will not be shooting starry-eyed glances at Brendan Rodgers when he kicks-off his Paisley reign against his coaching hero.
The new Buddies boss is looking forward to pitting his wits against his fellow Northern Irishman when Celtic visit the Simple Digital Arena.
Kearney said: “He and Michael O’Neill are the standard bearers for what can be achieved for coaches who come from my country.
“Both those guys have been exceptional in what they have achieved in a short period of time.”