wes

I guess when considering if the ref could be unsighted, it is also worth remembering that Rooney has jumped at the time, and the ball is above the towering height of Liam Lindsay’s head at 6ft 3in. It follows that it is likely that the ref can see the incident because of this height. Even giving him the benefit of the doubt, it is clear that there is a significant distance between Rooney’s head and the ball, so one or other must be within the ref’s field of vision (at worst only Osman’s head can obscure his view). So the ref can see that the ball has not hit Rooney’s head, and unless Rooney is physically deformed or there is an invisible force field in that area of the pitch, the only reasonable explanation for the ball to divert in the opposite direction in which it was travelling is that the ball hit Rooney’s hand. Love to think it was a genuine error, but the evidence points entirely to a blatant deliberate decision by the ref not to award a hand ball.

Within 10 minutes of this game starting it was pretty obvious that the ref's decisions favoured Aberdeen, every 50 50 went the Dons way, and there were several questionable decisions (Lindsay's booking, Aberdeen given obstruction decisions while we didn't, being takin in by blatant simulation) From that point on it was pretty predictable that Aberdeen were going to get a serious controversial decision. The ref did not disappoint. The second goal was a shambles of defending, we had three opportunities to clear the ball and didn't, we only have ourselves to blame for that. Likewise the way our heads went down after the first goal was wholly unprofessional and showed a clear lack of leadership and lack of a motivator. Neither of those things should take the spotlight away from a bad referee. When you consider that we were totally in the game, whether by luck or a good game plan or a poor Aberdeen. The moment that first goal was given changed the game. There were several of our players went to the ref to protest, and the ref's actions told you all you need to know. He gave it the slopey shoulders in the he claimed he didn't see it. The fact that our players surrounded the ref and closed in on him and not once did the ref ask them to stand back or stop or threaten a booking. What does that tell you about the ref - he knows he was wrong, and is deceitful enough to try and cover it up with a questionable excuse. If the ref did not see what everyone in the ground could see clearly, even from a distance, then we have to look at the competence of the referee - was he way out of position, is his eyesight up to standard, did he consult his assistant referees. All of those are simple observations of what to expect from a ref competent to officiate at a Senior football level. This type of deceitful favouritism has gone too far and needs called out. I am with MMCF on this and expect our club to make this visible and publicly ask for explanations. I also expect our club to not accept the usual excuse of refs have a hard job and sometimes make human errors like us all. This ref set out his favouritism from the start and not all his bias can reasonably be down to human error. Time to hold the SFA to account and to get them to bring their heads out the sand. I too am on the verge of giving up on Scottish Football because of this absurdity in defending the undefendable. I can find many better ways to spend my money.

Talking of sweeping under the carpet - Alex Salmond's involvement and interference in Donald Trump's golf resort in Aberdeenshire anyone!!!! Sweep......sweep........sweep

Hope they use some of the funds to petition Alex Salmond for the lies he was caught telling three times in the Scottish Parliament too. Democracy and indignation is not the sole property of you cyber nats Recommend you look at your own for a bunch of liars before you set off with your pitchforks and mob rule. I for one am sick to death of this constant whingeing, STOP PLAYING POLITICAL GAMES AND GET ON WITH RUNNING THE COUNTRY

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32803486 Looks like the Magenis had butt ban has been overturned

Admin, can we please move this topic to the general forum

Here's a wee daft idea, how about we move the dugouts to in front of the Jackie Husband stand

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-25690983 Sad news about Ian Redford, skillful player and one of the good guys in the game.

Although it is the correct outcome and there are quite a few faults, the penny has dropped with what the linesman meant by the player playing the ball twice. Draper comes along and taps the ball and tells the linesman he has taken the corner. Linesman says no you haven't. Draper tells Doran to play the ball. Linesman tells Craigen to retreat 10 yards (as the corner has not been taken). Doran then plays the ball twice, which in the linesman's view was the offense. Linesman should have put his flag up then, but who knows, maybe he told the ref through the intercom they have between the officials. Anyway the right decision by possibly the wrong means. Roll on next week, phew!

Looks a wee tad better now. As it stands when we win by 6 clear goals tomorrow, we will go up to 6th. ......I wish

When a game is moved from Saturday afternoons I struggle to go. I have loads of other commitments in my life that I would have to give up to accommodate these shifts for TV. Not something I have any desire to do. (Couldn't make the Hibs game either). I also stopped going to any Old Firm game in our last spell in the top league. While some folk may say the atmosphere is electric or passionate, I find the atmosphere better described as hatred, bile, bigoted, toxic and down right horrible. I came to a realisation that I have a choice, and therefore why would I or anyone in their right mind choose to put themselves in that environment. So each to their own, it is just not for me.

If I were a journalist this is how I would report this story..... "Celtic are thinking of banning the Green Brigade. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha."

Think this post shows why so many people are disillusioned with politics. seems to be more about points scoring and looking after your mates rather than looking after the people they are meant to represent. All the main parties have become caricatures of each other, all fighting for the same space, there is nothing really that different about them. What this country is crying out for is a new political movement which truly represents the people - no elitism, no favourite pet polices. Just do what people want and look after the economy, look after the vulnerable, look after our jobs. None of the parties in either Scotland or the UK come anywhere close to this, they all might say they do, but their words do not match what really happens in real life. Politics has simply become rhetoric and news media focussed. And the public know it. No wonder most folk won't vote.

Bobby Madden, ouch. Don't think I have ever seen this guy have a reasonable match when reffing a Thistle game. Expect some weird decisions tomorrow.

Watching from behind the goal it was impossible to tell what happened with the penalty award. From that position it looked like the shot came in and whacked off Murray. As it is too far away to see what actually happened, was wondering if there are any photos or videos posted anywhere that give a better view. Curious to see if it was a stonewaller or a bit of bad luck. Ta

Tugging another player's jersey is an automatic yellow card, tackle from behind is an automatic yellow and in most cases a straight red, simulation is an automatic yellow, holding onto an attacker in the penalty box is a yellow and a penalty, preventing a free kick being taken is an automatic yellow. But how often when any of these offenses are committed does the referee actually give out the punishment that has been prescribed. More often that not the referee exercises his discretion (or maybe can't be bothered) and does not do what he has "no option but to...". Dargo clearly dived when Muirhead touched him, with the sole intent of getting his opponent sent off. Watch the video, he was on his way down before there was any contact. We also know that he dived when his own manager - the totally unbiased Jim Jeffries - said on TV "Dargo used his professionalism", a football euphamisn for "he dived". The hand on the shoulder was not enough to put him down, so there was no "denial of a goal scoring opportunity". The only reason there was no shot is because Dargo chose to dive rather than shoot. Given referees clearly exercise their discretion, any half decent ref would spot exactly what happened and give a reasonable punishment, foul and a yellow for the defender. You are right about one thing, it is in the past and while it sticks in my throat that for the second time in recent years we have been put out the cup by a cheat, I totally accept it. That is after all part and parcel of watching Thistle. But please don't defend Dargo, he dived and got away with it. Now please stop trolling.

I should also add that Mr Greene has bought Newco for £5.5m and whatever happens will eventually sell for substantially more than that at no outlay to him. His opinions and utterings are therefore for one purpose only - his own self gain. They benefit no-one else. No debate is required and no SFL1 compromise is required. Rangers are defunct, Newco have the right to apply for the vacant SFL position.

I have previously said that if Newco are voted back into the SPL I am finished with Scottish Football. I had not considered the possibility of Newco being admitted into SFL1. If this happens I will also walk away from Scottish Football. I don't want to be part of anything so blatantly wrong and corrupt. There are enough precedents in Scottish Football as to what happens when a club goes into liquidation, so no debate is required. Any commentary on anything other than applying for the vacant place that becomes available in the entry level to the SPL is in the interest in one club only. There is no room for compromise as it would cheat all of Scottish football bar 1. I think we have a fair chance of winning SFL1 this season and I am looking forward to it. If Newco are admitted to SFL1 it becomes a waste of a season at a time when we have our key players signed up until the end of the season. The following season could be a worse position where many of our best players leave. Having watched my team build over several year I am not having it chopped away because someone has messed up their own club.

Another poor piece of journalism by the Sun. The year which they refer to is 1988, 24 years ago. I am guessing that things have changed hugely since then. If the most recent racist event in Scottish Football is 24 years ago, then let's hope that is a good indication that it has been resolved. Shame they don't talk about more recent topics like why bigotry still exists in Scottish Football.

If Crazy Davie's summary above comes to pass, I am finished with Scottish football. This is on the simple basis that my club is part of Scottish Football and the SFA, if they do not act to right this huge wrong, then I want no part of it. Dundee was enough to suffer, Rangers' position is beyond anything that is reasonable. If Rangers are relegated to Div 3 with or without a transfer embargo, that is an appropriate punishment for the severity of their mismanagement and disrepute charges, and I will carry on supporting my club. *edit for typo

Yes you can criticise them when that game plan lacks any imagination or entertainment value. That was an utterly shocking way of playing football. If that is what it takes to win the first division I would rather finish second.

Scotland England game is on Sunday, go to Starks park instead!

Some great points here, but to call the current Firhill as a disgrace, midden or any other such adjective needs a reality check. The old Firhill, although I hold very fond memories of it, the stark reality is that compared to today's stadium it was a dump. Uncovered terraces, questionable toilet facilities, dodgy pie stalls. The shed was just that - a shed. Bits of corrugated iron over scaffolding stretching barely half of one side of the pitch and offering intermittent shelter in poor weather. The toilet facilities were honking and was basically a brick wall for those that chose to use them, many used the canal bank at the back of the shed. It is not the stadium that creates the atmosphere, it is the fans - the pre match anticipation, the reaction to play and iffy ref's decisions and usually for us the resigned thought of what might have been after the match, occasionally interspersed with some ecstatic moments of a fantastic goal or victory. If Thistle played in a public park us the fans would create the atmosphere.

Thanks again for your observations. Not particulary a personal attack, simply repeating most of your own words. An alternative interpretation is that when someone has such an entrenched view and cannot consider there is a wider context than their own position, there is little point in continuing a discussion with them, it will simply go round in circles. So I do not intend posting any more on this point. It has already gone on too long. Thank you for the discussion though.

As they say, bigot or factual bigot is your choice - 2 cheeks of the same *rse!