As the date for Brendan Rodgers’ appointment with the SFA approaches, the Celtic manager will undoubtedly be wary of what’s coming up next for him.
A tricky away trip to Livingston has proven to be a challenge for Celtic in recent years. But for Rodgers, playing David Martindale‘s side has proven to be a happy experience for the Celtic manager.
Having faced Livingston five times in his Celtic career, Rodgers has four and drawn one. Under the Irishman, Celtic have scored 12 goals and conceded just three in all fixtures against the West Lothian club. [Transfermarkt]
But there has been a dramatic development for the upcoming fixture this week and it is one that the SFA have been heavily criticised for.
Don Robertson takes charge of Livingston vs Celtic
In an unusual move by the SFA, they have appointed Don Roberston as the match referee at Livingston. As you are all well aware, the whistler was the man in the middle for the 2-0 Tynecastle defeat in which Brendan Rodgers is facing a hearing today for his comments on Robertson and VAR man, John Beaton.
Robertson incredibly ordered off Hyunjun Yang and awarded the most contentious VAR penalty I have ever seen given as Rodgers suffered an away defeat in the capital.
And now that he’s been appointed the man in the middle before Rodgers’ hearing, the move by the SFA has been branded unwise by the national association.
Former Category 1 referees Des Roach and Steve Conroy run the referee podcast Behind the Whistle and they posted this message on X when they heard of the appointment, “The SFA don’t do themselves or their referees any favours.
“While Clubs should not get to dictate who gets to referee their games.
“It may have been wise to have allocated the game to someone else before the hearing process was concluded.”
I mean it would just be common sense to keep Robertson out of the firing line until this whole sorry mess has been blown over.
The referee is in a no-win situation here. Whichever way Rodgers’ hearing goes today, all eyes will be on Robertson on Sunday to see how he reacts to the events of this week and one wrong or contentious decision will have doubtful eyes cast across it from all football supporters.
For his sake, let’s hope Sunday’s game goes by without the requirement of VAR but somehow that seems just like wishful thinking from me.
