Celtic expert: Willie Collum and Rodgers ‘have a problem with each other’
Willie Collum has been urged to make headlines for the right reasons ahead of the Old Firm clash between Celtic and Rangers on 11 May.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Frank McAvennie shared his hope that the focus after the game remains on the football rather than the referee.
The former Celtic striker explained that there is a “problem” between Collum and Brendan Rodgers as the referee “likes to make a spectacle of himself”.
Collum has been the subject of plenty of debate surrounding the Old Firm, having been heavily criticised in the draw at Ibrox last season and again after the clash at Parkhead earlier this term.
That debate resulted in Rangers requesting that Collum be removed from officiating any of their games this season.
Willie Collum causes Old Firm controversy for Celtic and Rangers
As previous issues have shown, Collum has been involved in drama on both sides of the Old Firm divide recently, and controversy could be on the cards yet again.
McAvennie, meanwhile, insisted that Collum can be prone to mistakes, although he hopes he gets the decisions right with the world watching.
“Willie Collum is there and he and Brendan have got a problem with each other,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s an experienced referee, the world is going to be watching and if he does anything that makes it look as if there are any conspiracies…
“I hope we’re talking on Monday about the football. I hope VAR has got nothing to do with it.
“Willie Collum likes making a spectacle of himself because he likes a headline. I’m hoping he gets the headlines for all the right reasons.
“He is a good ref. He makes a lot of mistakes. I know he’s not doing it on purpose but he has made a lot of mistakes.
“I just hope he is a good ref and he does it right, and I hope the people on VAR help him out.
“I hope the referees just do their job, do it well and rely on what they get taught. They’re relying too much on VAR. If it’s something that they’ve missed, VAR will tell them.
“It’s a huge game, the world is watching.“
In other news, a £5million offer for Adam Idah is set to be accepted.
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