Its only a matter of time before David Dickinson gets to ref Celtic v Ibrox. Imagine the carnage he can cause then?
Eric Knott 
(Photo by Andrzej Iwanczuk/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Last night up at Tannadice, with just 8 seconds of injury time remaining, David Dickinson managed to award the Ibrox side their obligatory penalty.
He made Danny Rohl a very proud man indeed.
Because Danny believed the minimum they deserved was a point.
Newsflash Danny my man, your side deserved sweet F.A.!
But somehow the SFA’s finest conspired to ensure his side got a point.
David Dickinson is fast becoming the poster boy referee for the Ibrox side.
The newest iteration of a Hugh Dallas, or a Bobby Tait.
When an opposition player kicks you in the boot in the penalty box, that does not result in a penalty.
It results in a free kick for the defending team, and that’s what it should have resulted in last night at Tannadice.
Max Aarons is clearly seen to kick Will Ferry in the boot.
This is what they gave as a penalty in the 97th min of 6mins added…
— 🍔 Gastro Celtic 🍀 (@Gastro_Celtic) December 3, 2025
But, look, massive conspiracy against them, eh? 😂 pic.twitter.com/sTuAv6NpqZ
He makes the most of it, and uses his momentum to throw himself to the ground, fully in the knowledge that David Dickinson only needs the barest of excuses to point to the spot.
And needless to say Dickinson duly obliged.
It was clear he was waiting all game for his opportunity.
He must have been overjoyed when it presented itself with 8 seconds to go.
Now, I said earlier on that Danny Rohl’s side deserved nothing from the game.
And they didn’t because shock of shocks, Dundee United were denied a stonewall penalty as a result of a blatant handball in the box.
Clear handball by the Rangers player v Dundee United.
— Lint (@Zeshankenzo) December 3, 2025
No penalty given.
VAR didn’t call the ref over to look. pic.twitter.com/qpGRGnEpMX
For the second time in three weeks, Emmanuel Fernandez clearly handled the ball inside his box and got away with it.
Don Robertson, in the VAR room, did not deem it worthy of a second look.
Yet Liam Scales supposed “handball” last Sunday was examined to the nth degree?
It would appear we have returned to the days of Ibrox players handling the ball with impunity inside their own box.
Similar to the goalkeeping exploits of Conor Goldson coming up on three years ago.
I suppose the SFA and Willie Collum will have to issue another grovelling apology for this one?
“We’re sorry we got it wrong….AGAIN. David is an honest guy, and he’s doing his best….”
One wonders if it will be a double apology, though?
Its highly unlikely they’ll admit to two blatant blunders in one game, but they should be apologising about the awarding of the Ibrox penalty too.
Last night’s events are even more galling in light of what Celtic had to endure at Easter Road last Sunday.
I’m not going over the course again, but we know the penalty decision against us was dubious, and we know that it should have been a red card all day long when Arne Engels was kicked in the head.
As for David Dickinson, he’s fast earning himself a glowing reputation.
— Lint (@Zeshankenzo) December 3, 2025
The SFA love this guy, I’m sure.
It will only be a matter of time before Beaton passes the baton to him and he starts getting all of the Glasgow Derbies.
Imagine the chaos and carnage he’ll be able unleash then?
Celtic players will live in fear of touching an Ibrox player in the box.
Dickinson will relish that kind of fixture, just as Beaton has done over the years.
Meanwhile, over at Celtic Park last night, another rising star, Duncan Nicholson, got to referee his first game involving our club.
He didn’t fail to impress his pay masters.
True to form, he awarded the away side triple the amount of free kicks he awarded to Celtic.
Celtic had 70% of the possession, but every time one of our players attempted to dispossess a Dundee player, they threw themselves to the ground.
Nicholson did not hesitate in awarding a free kick their way each time.
Culminating in the most farcical awarding of a free kick to Dundee goalkeeper, Jon McCracken, you’re ever likely to see.
McCracken wandered out of his box, only immediately, and legitimately in my view, to be challenged by Daizen Maeda.
End result?
In a state of total panic, McCracken’s legs suddenly turned to jelly, and he collapsed on top of the ball pulling it into his chest.
🗣️ "It is not the biggest foul in the world but it is a foul."
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 4, 2025
The Ref Watch team on the incident between Dundee's Jon McCracken and Celtic's Daizen Maeda ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/0MTNsyJahE
One can only imagine that Nicholson felt sorry for the poor dear in his state of trepidation, and awarded him a free kick out of sympathy.
Because I can’t find any other explanation for it.
Under normal footballing rules, McCracken should have been sent off for handling the ball outside the box.
Replays show conclusively that Maeda did not foul him, he just dispossessed him.
So, there we have it.
All in all, just another bog standard night in the world of Scottish refereeing.
Perfectly normal decisions, from perfectly normal, and of course, human referees.
With no allegiances whatsoever to any team in Fair Caledonia.
What a wonderful refereeing fairy land we live in.
Key Takeaways
- David Dickinson controversially awarded a late penalty for the Ibrox side, sparking outrage over his officiating decisions.
- Danny Rohl’s side was denied a clear penalty earlier in the match, raising questions about inconsistency in officiating.
- Scottish refereeing appears biased, with accusations of players from the Ibrox handling the ball without consequence.
- Duncan Nicholson’s refereeing performance at Celtic Park resulted in an uneven distribution of free kicks, favouring the away team.
- The article critiques the state of refereeing in Scottish football, highlighting a pattern of questionable decisions and perceived bias.
It’s amazing (after a perseved injustice) what a fortnight of incessant pressure from both the tribute act and it’s media lackies can remind said officials of their “duties”……..
HH
Over the past few weeks it certainly looks like the Lanarkshire mafia of referees are doing their utmost to award the Huns any stupid penalty they can!,. While also awarding very ,very dodgy penalties against Celtic: yes Scottish bigotry at its very best! These sports reporters(?) seems to be sooo positive when it comes to decisions against Celtic, to those awarded to the ibrokes Huns!!! They hum and haw but never commit themselves, unless it is against Celtic , then they are positive!!, What a shower of wallies!!! But then again they are all in the lodge/ orange order and brothers of brothers, so shakemehandy and say heehaw!,, Shocking to say the least!! Maddens!! Hail Hail
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, specsavers sponsored badges on these biased bastard referees shoulders, they are having a fking sick indoor laugh at celtic and their fans at their headquarters with that .
Cheating Bastards in a nut-shell!