Scottish FA set to bring in referee outsider after season of complaints from Celtic and others

It’s been a pretty abysmal season when it comes to refereeing decisions in the Scottish Premiership, which Celtic know as well as anyone.

So much so that the notoriously defensive Scottish FA have been forced to sit up and take notice.

Earlier this year it was announced that Head of Referee Operations Crawford Allan would be leaving his role at the association and that a review of procedures would be taking place.

That came after several complaints from clubs up and down the division that refereeing wasn’t up to standard, especially concerning the use of video Technology.

Now, someone from outside the Scottish footballing bubble is set to be appointed in an attempt to improve the matter from next season.

Scottish FA targets former Premier League ref

The Scottish Sun reports that former English Premier League referee Jon Moss is the leading candidate to become the SFA’s new head of referees, replacing Allan.

Moss was a referee for 23 years, including over a decade in the Premier League, before retiring two years ago.

In the time since he’s had experience as a group manager on England’s professional Game board, critiquing referee performances after matches.

He left that role in March and is now in line to move north of the border to help sort out the situation up here.

SFA have a lot to prove and Celtic will be watching

It’s hard to know how much impact the SFA’s ongoing refereeing review and fresh appointments will have until we see the proof out on the field. It’s not as if they have earned the goodwill of supporters.

It would be a positive to see someone from outside Scottish Football come in with a fresh pair of eyes at the department. Referees in Scotland have often been accused of being too cliquey and looking out for their own. Moss may well shake things up a bit.

Time will tell on all this, but we know Celtic will be watching closely as always.

Brendan Rodgers has made it clear this season he’ll be calling out grievances when they arise.