Stu-Perb Apart From Dive Storm

Mar 30 2008 By Brian Mcginlay

Ibrox Ref Watch

IT was good to see Stuart Dougal put in an excellent display at Ibrox especially with the issue of respect for referees hogging headlines.

His usual approach is a firm, no-nonsense one and that was the case in his 10th Old Firm derby.

Dougal (left) spoke to Kevin Thomson after a foul in six minutes and the ref's facial expression said it all - he wanted to stamp his authority early and did just that. Stuart dished out his first of eight bookings to Hoops hitman Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink for dissent to his stand-side assistant and that told everyone he wasn't going to stand for sniping.

Gordon Strachan's side had a penalty claim in the first half when Scott Brown tangled legs with Steven Whittaker in the box but fair play to the Celtic star for staying on his feet and getting a shot away.

Stuart had no option but to yellow card Stephen McManus for a wild tackle on Jean-Claude Darcheville and was keeping a firm hand on the game.

Thomson and Carlos Cuellar followed him into the book before Paul Hartley had a confrontation with Darcheville. There wasn't a lot in it and Dougal did well to use his experience and speak to both players without cautioning them.

If anything Brown was lucky not to cop a yellow for getting involved because it had nothing to do with him.

Stuart's assertive handling continued after the break as the game flowed a lot more.

Then came arguably the most controversial incident when Thomson collided with Georgios Samaras in a 50-50 tackle on the edge of the Celtic area. Even though Thomson had to be stretchered off he will BLUSH when he watches the TV replays.

I think he injured himself by deliberately trying to get a foul off the big Greek's leg.

It's easy for me to say that with the benefit of replays but Stuart wouldn't have seen it.

If he had, it would have been difficult not to book Thomson for diving - which would have meant a sending off for Gers' goal hero. It will also be interesting to hear the comments of SFA chief executive Gordon Smith, who has led a recent campaign for retrospective punishment for divers.

Overall Stuart was excellent and always in control despite tempers flaring slightly late on.

He is one of the contenders to ref the Scottish Cup Final and did his chances no harm yesterday in his second-last SPL season.