CELTIC manager Tommy Burns wants the Scottish Football Association to remove the gag on match officials after another Old Firm no-goal row.
Portuguese striker Jorge Cadete put the ball in Andy Goram’s net at Ibrox on Thursday night with Rangers leading 2-1 in an eventual 3-1 victory which most observers insist effectively finishes the title race.
But referee Jim McCluskey disallowed Cadete’s effort after a linesman raised his flag. Arguments continue to rage over whether the official was signalling for offside against Cadete - television pictures showed he was clearly onside - or handball.
And Burns is at a loss as to why officials cannot clarify their decisions as is the trend in England.
“I think somewhere along the line we deserve an explanation for that decision,” said the Celtic boss, whose side have now gone nine derbies without a win. My player assures me he didn’t use his hand and it wasn’t offside. What is the point in gagging officials?”
Burns has a defensive injury crisis ahead of today’s Parkhead meeting with Motherwell as they seek to reignite their championship challenge.
Defender Alan Stubbs suffered a hamstring problem and will be out for a couple of weeks. Brian O’Neil misses tomorrow’s game after needing stitches in his ankle.
But Pierre van Hooijdonk could be in for a starting place against Motherwell.
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LAVEY are sweating on the fitness of captain Dominic Collins ahead of tomorrow’s Ulster Minor hurling final against Keady.
The influential youngster missed the semi-final win over Rossa several weeks ago with a broken ankle bone and is hoping to be fit for the game at Ballinascreen (2pm).
Lavey manager Tom McGill says his Derry champions will give it their best shot. Corner-forward Paul Fitzsimons scored a cracking goal in the semi-final victory while half-forward Paul McVeigh was top scorer with five points. Keady will go into the game as favourites by virtue of a handsome 14-point win over Portaferry in the semi-final.
Five of the Keady team were regulars with the Armagh senior panel last year while at least ten of the team were on the minor panel that won the special All-Ireland title, beating Mayo in the final.
Keady: R Digby, C Woods, S Murray, P Beagan, S Cumisky, R Murray, G Enright, P McCormick, P Kirk, M Hughes, C Breen, S McAuley, L McGreavey, G Mone, K Hatzer (capt).
Lavey: J McGarvey, P McGill, F Scullion, S McNally, R Fitzsimons, K Collins (capt), G Boyle, T Cassidy, K McCloy, R Cushnahan, C McCloy, P McVeigh.
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GLENAVON will not be signing Michael McHugh, this or next season, Omagh boss Roy McCreadie said last night.
McCreadie hit out at Glenavon and said he was angered at the Mourneview club’s handling of talks regarding McHugh.
“Over the next couple of days Omagh will be confirming an extension of Michael McHugh’s contract, he will be going nowhere, least of all Glenavon,” said McCreadie.
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GORT na Mona should extend their lead at the top of division one of the First Trust Bank league on Monday night when they meet St Gall’s in the doubles.
But the St Paul’s team may find the going tough against the McDermott’s at Beechmount Leisure Centre in the corresponding fixture.
Much depends on the New Year ‘hangover’ when teams have been known to drop some silly points, and St Paul’s are in the position that they can’t afford any slip ups with Gort na Mona being some five points clear.
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TWO goals from James Coll and Derek McGrath gave Bohs a priceless win to end their mid-season crisis and close the gap on league leaders Derry City to three points.
The first goal from Coll came in the 65th minute to help Bohs to their first away league win since early November. It came after McGrath was up-ended inside the Dundalk half by Tom McNulty.
The same player then delivered the ensuing free kick on to the head of Eoin Mullen at Dundalk’s far post. His flick inside found Coll rising the highest in a crowded 6-yard box and the former Dundalk’s players header looped into the corner of the empty net.
The second goal arrived in the 79th minute. Peter Hanrahan passed to Donal Broughan, and in turn he found Derek Swan wide on Dundalk’s net. The striker was then given the space to pick out the inrushing McGrath, who nutmegged Les Fridge from 10 yards.
