Rangers should be left rather concerned following news that has emerged ahead of their Old Firm clash this weekend.
This weekend represents a rather crucial point in the title race. Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men sit three points behind in second place, and as they get set to take on rivals Celtic at Ibrox, it’s a game that they cannot afford to lose if they are to have any chance of retaining the title they won last season.
However, news that has emerged from the Scottish Football Association could give them reason to be rather nervous as they head towards the game on Sunday.
Who has been put in charge?
The Scottish FA announced on their website that William Collum will be in charge of the game at Ibrox, who will be flanked by Graeme Stewart and David Roome, with Nick Walsh doing fourth official duties.
Collum has been in charge of four Rangers matches so far this season, and they have fared incredibly well whilst he has been in charge, winning all four of them, only receiving six yellow cards, not getting a single red and earning two penalties in the process.
But whilst things have been good for them this season, against Celtic it is a whole different matter.
Why is it bad news for Rangers?
As the wider stats show, when it comes to refereeing games in which Rangers play Celtic, the numbers are very much against the Ibrox outfit, as he has refereed the Old Firm game eight times in the past, and Rangers have only picked up one victory, that being the first time they met with Collum in the middle back in 2010/11.
Since then, it has been seven games without a win, with just the one penalty coming their way in that time as well. So he certainly has been anything but a good luck charm when it comes to facing their Glasgow rivals.
As well as this, the 43-year-old was in charge for the first derby on Rangers’ return to the Premiership in 2016 which resulted in a 5-1 loss and he sent off Swiss defender Phillipe Senderos for two yellow cards.
He also got the Scottish Cup semi-final last season when he awarded Celtic a penalty in a 2-0 loss for the Gers.
To be fair, he did send off Jozo Simunovic at Ibrox in March 2018. And, also sent off Jeremie Frimpong and awarded Rangers a penalty which Alfredo Morelos ended up missing in the 2019/20 League Cup final. However, Celtic won 1-0 with a Chris Julien goal which was proved by TV replays to be offside.
TIF Verdict…
Does this news about the referee concern you?
Yes
No
Old Firm games are always important, but given what is at stake here with regard to the title race, this is arguably one of the more important games in recent years, although the same was stated when they last met back in February.
And given that Rangers are the team behind in the standings, they will need all the luck that they can get in order to make sure the gap doesn’t get any bigger, and hopefully referee Collum won’t play too big a role in proceedings.
In other news: Blunder: Rangers star surely kicking himself as footage emerges – opinion