‘Sometimes you wonder if the officials even know the rules’

BRENDAN RODGERS has questioned whether Scotland’s match officials are fully aware of the rules.

Two decisions in the past month have annoyed the Celtic manager, the first in his club’s 4-0 defeat to Hearts then in the midweek win over Partick Thistle at Firhill.

At Tynecastle, Rodgers was baffled at the lack of a flag when Hearts midfielder Don Cowie encroached on Craig Gordon’s penalty box at a goal kick and subsequently aided Harry Cochrane’s opening goal.

Then, on Tuesday night, he was stunned to see an assistant flag Leigh Griffiths offside as he ran onto a throw-in, a call overruled by referee John Beaton who rightly waved play on.

Speaking ahead of this week’s rematch against Craig Levein’s side, Rodgers said: ‘We didn’t play well against Hearts, we obviously conceded the first goal which the linesman wasn’t so good on. Don Cowie has taken a corner from the other side and it’s gone out. Craig Gordon, not thinking Don can ever get there, is on his line and makes the pass and then Don comes running through the box.

‘The linesman is looking at it but instead of ordering a retake says play on. There is no excuse, we give the ball away and they score.

‘Then the other night Leigh Griffiths at a throw-in is flagged offside. It is actually incredible. It makes me wonder if the officials know the rules.’