Nick Montgomery reckons the Premiership needs full-time referees.And the Hibs manager has branded claims that decisions even themselves out over the course of a season as a “fairytale".
Montgomery was left furious with two calls he believes cost his side dearly in their Scottish Cup exit to Rangers on Sunday.Nathan Moriah-Welsh was red carded by Steven McLean for a lunge on John Lundstram midway through the second half – a decision Montgomery later said should’ve been a booking –while the Easter Road boss also cited a foul on Martin Boyle in the lead up to Rangers’ opening goal from the penalty spot.
Hibs received an SFA apology after they were denied a penalty for handball at Aberdeen last month and were also incensed when Will Fish was penalised in his own box in the derby draw with Hearts two weeks later.Ahead of Wednesday's trip to Ross County, former Central Coast Mariners boss Montgomery – who said half of the A-League refs were full-time – called for our part-time officials to be upgraded.
He said: “For the referees that’s only fair as well – it’s a big job. You’ve got games midweek, weekends, it’s a physical job as well, for the referees getting around the pitch, it’s not easy.“It’s only my opinion but the refs deserve to be full-time and deserve a full-time salary.
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