Philippe Clement backs Rangers row ref Willie Collum as he urges VAR to stamp out Premiership cheats
dailyrecord.co.ukPhilippe Clement has backed Rangers row ref Willie Collum to raise the standards of officiating in his new SFA role - and for VAR to stamp out the Premiership CHEATS.The Belgian admitted the man who was a much-maligned figure before hanging up his whistle last season held an encouraging summit with top flight bosses after replacing former Hampden refs head honcho Crawford Allan in the summer.
Collum was at the centre of a huge row involving the Ibrox club last season after he was at the Clydesdale House HQ when he failed to spot a handball by Alistair Johnston during the festive Old Firm derby at Parkhead, albeit it wouldn’t have resulted in a spot kick had whistler Nick Walsh been sent to the monitor as there was an offside in the build-up.However, the offside wasn’t a factor in Collum’s initial decision and Rangers chiefs went to war with the SFA and, as well as demanding the audio from the match, requested Collum was taken off games involving the Ibrox side.
Clement distanced himself from the club stance at the time and welcomed Collum’s new role. He said: “We spoke after all the fuss that was there last season when he next came to Ibrox.
That was done already. For me there was nothing. Cantwell mega money, Tavernier fight and £30m sacrifice – 'mythical' Rangers transfer policy in full flight "It was a decision, one moment, and we were not happy with the decision.
Read more on dailyrecord.co.uk
