Rangers defender Andy Webster has praised the performance of Old Firm referee Willie Collum.
Andy Webster defends referee as he receives death threats
Rangers defender Andy Webster has praised the performance of Old Firm referee Willie Collum after it was revealed he has received death threats.
Collum was given the task of handling his first Old Firm clash on Sunday and some of his decisions have caused some controversy.
Indeed, Celtic manager Neil Lennon voiced his disappointment over the penalty that he awarded to Rangers and he also felt Lee McCulloch should have been dismissed.
Webster, however, who did not feature in the game, does have sympathy for the officials and admits it is not a role he would relish undertaking.
Emphasis
"A lot of the time, there is a lot of emphasis placed on the referee," he said.
"Watching the game on television on Sunday, there were a lot of stats coming up about the referee and stuff.
"When you start highlighting the referee in that manner, it maybe puts unnecessary pressure on them.
"People say a referee has had a good game when they are quiet and unassuming. It's a difficult one. It's a high-pressure situation, especially in Old Firm games, to be able to handle it and I thought the ref did well.
"It's a difficult job and not one that I would relish. Generally, you are never going to win as a referee. It's a difficult job to do and they duo it to the best of their ability."
Webster has now fully recovered from his injury woes back has so far failed to force his way into Walter Smith's plans on a regular basis.
He has made just a solitary appearance to date this term in the Co-operative Insurance Cup, and is primed to play against Kilmarnock on Wednesday in the quarter-final.
Opportunity
"I'm just looking for an opportunity, the same as everybody else," Webster added.
"When it comes, hopefully I'll take it. The team has done exceptionally well so for anybody to get in at the minute is difficult.
"I just need to bide my time and work hard in training. We play practice matches and I'll work hard in those and wait for an opportunity to come around.
"With the size of the squad that we have now, I would think there is more of an opportunity to get a game.
"From that point of view, the manager is going to have to utilise the full squad and hopefully, being a part of that, I'll get a game."
