Rangers boss Graeme Murty believes Scottish referees need to go full-time
Monday 26 February 2018 19:10, UK
Rangers boss Graeme Murty believes Scottish referees need to go full-time if their standard of officiating is to improve.
The performances of officials in Scotland has come into the spotlight once again following Neil Lennon's irate outburst with Kevin Clancy on Saturday.
The Hibernian boss was sent to the stands after angrily remonstrating with the leading Scottish official following his decision to award Kilmarnock a disputed penalty during the 2-2 draw at Rugby Park, which saw Hibs lose ground on Aberdeen and Rangers.
Unlike Premier League referees in England, who earn up to £70,000 a year on full professional contracts, Scottish officials currently work as self-employed contractors who are paid on a game-by-game basis.
"Until we have a professional core of referees in Scotland, who are training every day with financial backing commensurate to the task, they will find it difficult to reach the standards of the Premier League in England," Murty said.
"That's nothing to do with their own desires or their wants - it's to do with the reality of being professional and getting paid to do a job.
"It's exactly the same as professional footballers playing at the top level with all the facilities behind him as opposed to a part-time footballer having to do a day job then going to play on the weekend.
"Unless we get to that level we will continue having this conversation."
Lennon, whose side had led 2-0 prior to Kilmarnock's comeback, allowed his frustration to boil over as he confronted Clancy following the decision to penalise defender Ryan Porteous for a handball.
The former Celtic boss sarcastically applauded the official before being led away by security officials and described officiating in Scotland as "Mickey Mouse" in his post-match assessment to Sky Sports.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers admits he can sympathise with his compatriot following a "catalogue" of calls which have gone against Hibernian this term.
"I have seen a lot of strange decisions. The guys are doing the very best they can, but some of it I can totally understand where Neil would come from," Rodgers said.
"(Lennon's reaction) was something that is (in the) heat of the moment. He has obviously seen something clearly and for Neil it has probably been tagged on to one or two other incidents that has cost his team.
"It is understandable that frustration will come out at times. Sometimes, in the games, for managers and coaches, it can be so blatant, maybe not for referees.
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"But if it continually happens it can be very concerning for you and of course that was his reaction because there was probably a catalogue of incidents for him.
"We have to try to somehow help the referees and improve the standards of everything. That is the job of managers and clubs, whether it is football pitches, officiating, club structures, it is to improve standards.
"Every manager and coach is the same. There is a rage inside you and some can maybe control it a wee bit better than others. But it is very, very difficult in that, at that moment, I have been fortunate.
"I have stood on the touchline for thousands of youth games and senior games but it is still always a challenge when something goes against you."
