Brendan Rodgers, the Celtic manager, has said that referees in Scotland lack the authority to control big matches, fearing that players’ careers – and even their lives – are being endangered as a result.
Rodgers has expressed sympathy for Rangers counterpart Pedro Caixinha over the treatment meted out to his players by Motherwell in Sunday’s semi-final in particular.
He will now go up against his countryman Stephen Robinson’s outfit in the final of the competition towards the end of November, and while praising the turnaround Robinson has performed at Fir Park, Rodgers was critical of referee Steven McLean for failing to clamp down on some robust challenges from the Steelmen. He hopes there will be a firmer line taken when it’s the champions’ turn to take them on at Hampden with the trophy at stake.
“With Sunday’s game, what you are looking at is authority,” said Rodgers. “You want officials with authority.
“They may not always get decisions right but don’t just let the game go and hope the players officiate it. That was a dangerous game on Sunday. You are endangering players’ lives and careers with some of the challenges we saw. That’s not the first time. It’s been ongoing.
“In games like Sunday, you need a strong referee, linesmen and fourth official as a team. That game was let out of control. It’s either officials who unfortunately don’t have an eye for the game, don’t have a feel for the real details of the game, or who are frightened to make a decision.
“I can see why Pedro would have been annoyed – absolutely. That happens to one of your players?
“That’s a prestigious game, the League Cup semi-final on TV with kids watching, and it’s not what you want to see.”
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