'Be prepared' - Celtic and Rangers warned referees could decide title race

John Hartson has denounced referee Nick Walsh in coruscating fashion for the “unbelievable” “disgrace” of overruling his assistant and the fourth official in erroneously awarding a corner from which Celtic netted their opener in the 3-1 victory at Livingston on Sunday.

And the former Celtic striker believes “we have to be prepared” for the possibility that refereeing decisions could settled the outcome of the title race – ruefully remembering that Celtic hopes of silverware in the 2003 League Cup final against Rangers were undermined by his having a goal wrongly rule out for offside in the 2-1 defeat.

Hartson, though, sees straw-clutching in believing that favourable calls on Sunday allowed Ange Postecglou’s men to restore a three point advantage over the Ibrox side at the summit of the cinch Premiership across an afternoon when a resounding performance could have led to them scoring “seven”.

However, he was more enraged than even Livingston manager David Martindale over what preceded Daizen Maeda’s 17th minute opener that followed a corner awarded after Anthony Ralston knocked the ball out when it came off his arm as he was challenged by Jason Holt on the byline. Assistant Frank Connor running the line at that side and fourth official Bobby Madden both communicated to Walsh that a goal-kick should have been the outcome but the official chose to ignore his team.

“That’s a disgrace from the referee,” said Hartson. “The linesman can see it. That’s not acceptable. That is unbelievable. Unbelievable. That is an incredible thing for a referee to do. If I’ve got somebody in my corner to help me, and he’s seen it and got a better view of it than I have, surely I’m using his help? Using that extra pair of eyes. I can’t believe