Controversial Collum has bosses seeing red

Two off and a debatable penalty puts referee under fire

Willie Collum was back in the firing line last night.

The much-maligned official drew criticism from both the Rangers and Hibs managers for decisions made during a stormy 2-2 draw at Easter Road, which saw the Light Blues reduced to nine men.

Ibrox boss, Giovanni van

Bronckhorst – a long-term advocate of VAR – said he felt the sending off of John Lundstram, who like Alfredo Morelos was shown a straight red by Collum, was “harsh”.

And with the midfielder now facing a two-match ban, he hinted the club would look into an appeal.

Hibs manager, Lee Johnson, backed the view, commenting he did not feel the midfielder should have been sent off.

His big grievance with the referee concerned the award of a penalty against his defender, Rocky Bushiri, for a foul of Antonio Colak, noting that if that was a spot kick: “There would be a hundred awarded every week.”

VAR, which has already been trialled this season, is due to be introduced into the Premiership after the World Cup.