Old Firm Passion Play Will Test Ref's Mettle

Apr 27 2008 Andy Walker

THERE will be no appeals for calm from me before Celtic square up to Rangers today 10 days after one of the most gripping Old Firm games in recent memory.

Unlike some people I don't believe the recent clash at Celtic Park was overshadowed by the scuffle at the final whistle.

When Scotland's two most famous clubs go head-to-head again in the crunch lunchtime kick-off my only wish is that both sets of players get stuck in, drive each other on and provide a spectacle we can all be proud of.

Let's remember it's a sporting contest and asking players to put their heart and soul into the game is a good thing.

Rightly or wrongly the average punter demands no less from each and every one of their heroes and the do or die approach is a big part of our game.

Of course over the years there have been players who have lost their discipline and it takes a strong character to maintain a certain level of composure in such a hostile atmosphere.

I have no qualms in admitting I enjoyed matches where there was hostility.

At Motherwell we played Airdrie and Hamilton in local derbies and you could sense the hatred on the terraces. I can assure you it makes for a tasty 90 minutes on the pitch.

When you join Celtic you quickly realise there are plenty of clubs in Scotland whose players become more aggressive, unfriendly and intimidating when you pitch up to play them.

And don't try to tell me Hibs and Hearts fans don't hate each other. I only played once in that fixture but the antagonism and bitterness can be just as strong in Edinburgh as it is in Glasgow.

I like rivalries in football and I happen to be a big fan of the Old Firm fixture and believe Scottish football would be a much poorer place without it.

The last thing I want is for the SPL to become mundane and ordinary and without the Old Firm that's exactly what it would be.

Having said that I accept there are others who can't hide their dislike of both teams.

With the clubs still carrying the ugly baggage of bigotry and sectarianism it is easy to see why many Scots would be glad to be rid of the Glasgow giants.

That's why it has been heartening in recent years to hear from people of the stature of Brian Quinn, David Murray, Peter Lawwell and Martin Bain as to the importance at home and abroad of their fans' behaviour.

Even now though some chants are completely unacceptable and only the continual condemnation of the idiots by those in authority will, in time, put an end to the bile.

Off the park today the supporters will be closely scrutinised over their behaviour, on the park much of the focus and pressure will be on referee Craig Thomson.

How will he try to exert authority in his biggest test of the season?

Ten days ago Celtic's Barry Robson cemented Christian Dailly in the first few seconds and got away with it.

In terms of a physical contest that set a pattern others followed and Celtic proved to be more than capable of holding their own.

How will Rangers react to that?

I have no doubt there will be a similar challenge from someone in green or blue early on.

One player will definitely want to make his mark and it will be interesting to see if Thomson is as lenient as Kenny Clark or whether he'll try to underline who is in charge straight away by producing an early yellow card.

Such a policy may seem sensible but the ref can end up making a rod for his own back by laying down an early marker and often the end result is a flurry of yellow and red cards as every challenge is similarly punished.

In the early 90s I remember playing Rangers twice in the same week and it proved to be a huge test of character for both refs.

In a Scottish Cup quarter-final at Celtic Park we beat Rangers 2-0 with goals from Gerry Creaney and Darius Wdowczyk. But the game is best remembered for the fact four players were sent off.

I'm sure it was Andrew Waddell's first Old Firm test and he showed red cards to Peter Grant, Terry Hurlock, Mark Walters and Mark Hateley.

Seven days later we again beat Rangers, this time by 3-0 with goals from Anton Rogan, Joe Miller and Tommy Coyne.

One of the lasting images I have of that day is the sea of red at the Celtic end and in the Jungle as every Hoops fan had been issued with red cards to show to any Rangers player who committed a foul.

George Smith, a schoolmaster who was referee that day, was under intense pressure after the "shameful" events of the previous week and only had to show one red card, this time to Rangers' Scott Nisbet.

Billy McNeill, as he did before every Old Firm game, reminded us of our responsibilities to keep the head but in the same breath he made sure we knew he expected every tackle to be won and we were urged to come out on top no matter what.

I'd be amazed if Gordon Strachan and Walter Smith didn't echo those sentiments before today's showdown.

Both will demand total commitment from their players.

If any confrontations develop on the pitch all you can hope for is that the ref does his job.

But I for one amproud to have played in Scottish football's greatest fixture.

It's a fabulous game to be part of and I hope the players appreciate the special environment they're in.