Collum on spot again as northern lights shine

Kilmarnock Aberdeen

WE MAY just be a couple of days into October but it’s fair to assume Willie Collum has already been struck off the Kilmarnock Christmas card list.

Only last season, the referee was dropped from three rounds of Ladbrokes Premiership fixtures after a controversial penalty decision between Aberdeen and Inverness, and now, eight months on, another spot-kick decision has brought fresh criticism for the Uefa Elite referee.

The moment in question came in the 23rd minute of this 4-0 away win for Aberdeen at Kilmarnock. With the game sitting at 0-0, Adam Rooney – who would grab a brace to bookend efforts from Andrew Considine and Ash Taylor – chipped a ball over the top to James Maddison rushing into the box. The Aberdeen forward crashed into Kilmarnock keeper Jamie MacDonald as they contested the loose ball but, as most inside the ground anticipated Collum would whistle for a freekick, the home contingent were left astounded and furious as he pointed to the spot and a yellow card was flashed at MacDonald.

Rooney eventually stepped up to convert following a long protest from the Kilmarnock players, but the cheers of celebration from the 1100-odd Aberdonians at the other end were barely audibly over chants of ‘cheat’ directed man in the middle.

“The boy Maddison has come in and he nails me,” said MacDonald. “The next thing I know, the whistle has gone and Willie tells me it’s a penalty for pulling him back.

“I’ve seen the footage back and I still don’t know how he has given the decision. You have to respect the referee, he has seen something, but it killed us as we were just starting to settle into the game.”

His manager Lee Clark added: “First goals are always important to get your noses in front.

“What’s the point in me having a go? I’ll probably end up losing a few quid won’t I? I’m not going to change their mind now.”

This was Aberdeen’s fourth Premiership win this season, which also doubled up as Kilmarnock’s fourth defeat – and topped off a torrid two games at the with 10 goals conceded between them both. The penalty award undoubtedly gave the visitors a helping hand as they moved in front midway through the first half.

Yet, this was a contest, if that’s even the right word, which Kilmarnock were barely in before that flashpoint on 23 minutes.

Joe Lewis in the visiting goal had the quietest of afternoons. On top of that, the team from the north east coped much better with an awful Rugby Park surface.

“I think we enjoyed the pitch,” said Derek McInnes, the Aberdeen manager as his side returned to second place. “I thought it was almost a perfect performance.”

The boos on the stroke of halftime may have been for Collum but the groans shortly after it were directed at those closer to home.

Maddison’s corner on 51 inutes was allowed to bounce across the box unchallenged to Considine 15 yards out, and the big defender arrowed a rasping volley into the far corner for two.

While one centre-half got the second, the other netted Aberdeen’s third 15 minutes later.

Another deadly corner delivery from Maddison this time found Taylor, who raced in at the back post to thump the ball high into the net.

On 71 minutes, Aberdeen grabbed a fourth with Rooney claiming his second. Great work from Jonny Hayes carved open the space for the Irishman to run into and his shot trundled over the line.

You have to respect the referee, but it killed us as we were just starting to settle into the game