Latest news with #DonRobertson
Daily Record
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Calmness amid Celtic penalty drama and Aberdeen smash and grab is why unruffled Don Robertson is best we have
Record Sport's resident former ref Des Roache couldn't have been more impressed with the Hampden officials over 120 minutes It was Aberdeen's day as Celtic blew their Treble chance, but I need to talk about the man no-one is talking about. That Don Robertson isn't getting a mention in the aftermath of a marathon Scottish Cup Final at Hampden is exactly what you want as a referee. Overall in the first half, there was nothing in it for ref to be concerned about, but that doesn't mean Don isn't working hard to manage things. It's a national Cup Final so all the players will be heightened and the managers will be heightened. As far as the refereeing team are concerned, they couldn't have really asked for a better first half and overall it went really well from an officiating point of view. But the second 45 is where it counts. Refs always say, the first half is the first part, but the second half is when it really matters. This is when trophies are won and legacies are made and is when he really has to work hard and get everything right. The first 15 minutes of second half are really important to maintain control - especially with a team a goal down. Don did that really well, he was in total control. The final 15 are just as key. With Aberdeen getting more desperate for an equaliser, frustration can set in and that's why Don couldn't afford to switch off. When Aberdeen levelled late on, it was really game on. However, Don stayed calm and in control as he did all game. That's why he is our best referee. The second half was pretty much exactly the same as the first half. Don showed he was the calmest man on the park. The players get edgy, they are wanting to win the game but Don was completely unruffled. He's got another 30 minutes to go and he needs to keep it exactly the same. Calm and in control. The game was still such a stalemate after the first 15 minutes of extra-time but Don entirely on top of it all. Still in control and and non fussed. Players' minds get tired - their legs already are - but Don's and his team can't be. They've shown they're on top of their game. I can't think of any better word to describe Don Robertson's display than brilliant. Don and his team couldn't have really asked for a better cup final. You can say they got a perfect game to manage, but you make it perfect with their performance. That's not to say they didn't work hard. Keeping control for 120 minutes is testament to their ability and temperament. When it goes to penalties , it's then just down to the players. but Don can be very proud of how he's handled the game. A major national cup final and no one talking about the referee - perfect. Job done Carter Vickers penalty appeal The big Celtic defender claimed for a spot kick. Jack Milne appeared to have his arms around him, but the American also looked to have a hold of the Dons defender before he hit the deck. His appeals fall on deaf ears. "No penalty, not an issue to make anything of," is Des' verdict. "Don has done very well so far. Been very level headed and been flustered but very calm. Showing his experience. Carter-Vickers and Shinnie flashpoint Carter-Vickers' initial tackle is good and he wins the ball after coming in from the side. It''s not a foul. Graeme Shinnie then gets needlessly involved and starts being aggressive. he is the aggressor and deserved to be booked but Carter-Vickers shouldn't have been shown a yellow card. Luke McCowan penalty appeal In a game devoid of any real controversial calls, Celtic claimed for a penalty with six minutes of extra-time remaining. Don Robertson didn't think that there was enough of a push on Luke McCowan to award a spot-kick and a swift VAR check backed him up. No penalty and the correct call.
Scottish Sun
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Scottish Cup final between Aberdeen and Celtic DELAYED as pyrotechnic thrown onto pitch
Action on the pitch wasn't lighting up Hampden but fans took matters into their own hands FLARE PLAY Scottish Cup final between Aberdeen and Celtic DELAYED as pyrotechnic thrown onto pitch Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Scottish Cup final between Aberdeen and Celtic had fans expecting to see fireworks on the pitch. And those fireworks did come in the first half - but not with the football the sides were playing. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 2 Missiles were thrown onto the Hampden pitch during the Scottish Cup final 2 The flare had to be removed as crumpled-up paper was also thrown A pyrotechnic was launched onto the field in the 25th minute, hitting the corner flag at the Aberdeen end. It was accompanied by crumpled-up pieces of red paper. The pyro needed to be removed, causing a brief pause in the action. A Hampden steward arrived with a grabber and bucket to remove the flashing projectile. Referee Don Robertson then restarted the action after a delay of roughly 30 seconds. The red paper wasn't removed, lying around the corner flag as the game resumed. Nicolas Kuhn took a corner from the side where the paper had built up. And that corner ended up providing the opening goal for Celtic, as Cameron Carter-Vickers and Harry Milne challenged for the cross. The ball brushed the head of the American and hit the arm of Aberdeen defender Alfie Dorrington, deceiving Dimitar Mitov and trickling in off the post. Pyro had been on show from the Celtic fans too in the build-up to the match. Thousands of Celtic fans march to Hampden for Scottish Cup final vs Aberdeen amid heavy police presence Hoops supporters had met at Glasgow Green earlier in the day to march to the national stadium. The crowd sported a number of fireworks and flares as they made their way through the city centre. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
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Scotsman
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Celtic v Aberdeen Scottish Cup final referee and VAR revealed as SFA appoint first-time official
Whistler to take charge of his first Scottish Cup final Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Scottish Football Association has confirmed the officiating team for the upcoming Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Aberdeen at Hampden Park. The Saturday, May 24 showdown will see the Premiership duo compete for the final silverware of the season with holders Celtic aiming to complete a domestic treble while Aberdeen are bidding to win silverware for the first time since 2014, when they defeated Inverness Caledonian Thistle on penalties in the League Cup final. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Celtic have already clinched the league title while they also lifted the Premier Sports Cup in December after defeating Rangers in the final on penalties following a 3-3 draw. Celtic are aiming to win a third successive Scottish Cup while Aberdeen will look to end a 35-year wait for the trophy. Celtic and Aberdeen will contest the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final on Saturday, May 24 at Hampden Park. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group) | SNS Group The most recent Scottish Cup final between the sides in 2017 ended with the Celtic claiming a 2-1 victory thanks to an injury-time winner from Tom Rogic. Celtic and Aberdeen have met in the final on seven occasions with the Hoops winning four and the Dons victorious in three. Referee and VAR confirmed The SFA has appointed Don Robertson as the match referee with the 38-year-old set to take charge of his first Scottish Cup final. He will be assisted by Ross Macleod and David Dunne, with Colin Steven acting as fourth official. Greg Aitken is on VAR duty, supported by Sean Carr. Referee Don Robertson will take charge of the 2025 Scottish Cup final. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group) | SNS Group Robertson refereed last season's classic Scottish Cup semi-final between Celtic and Aberdeen at Hampden, which ended in a 3-3 draw before the Hoops prevailed on penalties. There was a moment of controversary in extra-time when Dons winger Junior Hoilett was felled in the box by Cameron Carter-Vickers, only for Robertson to award a free-kick to Celtic for an earlier foul on Alistair Johnston when most inside the ground, including the Celtic defender, thought a penalty kick had been awarded.
The Courier
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Lyall Cameron insists Dundee 'not shifting blame' with fresh VAR complaints
Lyall Cameron has voiced Dundee's frustrations over their latest VAR controversy – but accepts they have been the architects of their own downfall this season. The 3-2 defeat to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park leaves the Dens Park men still battling for their Premiership survival. One win at home to Ross County on Wednesday guarantees safety but defeat means all scenarios could still be in play next Sunday away to bottom side St Johnstone. Despite the lingering worries over dropping into the Championship, the post-match chat centred on another contentious moment involving Tony Docherty's side. A farcical delay over the check for a possible penalty for the Dark Blues saw referee Don Robertson brought to the pitch-side monitor but then not shown any images. Confusion reigned post-match. Had VAR official Gavin Duncan decided the incident was outside the box or was there an issue with the screen? 'It's hard for me to say because I didn't see it very well,' said Cameron of Muray's clash with Kyle Vassell. 'But Si [Murray] was adamant that it was inside the box. 'At the time, I found it strange because Don Robertson was standing over the VAR for so long. It's not his fault at the end of the day, he gets what he works with. 'But I believe they couldn't overturn the decision because the VAR wasn't working, 'You can laugh about it. But, at the end of the day, when you're in the position that we're in, it's not actually a joke. It's just the last thing you need. 'We're fighting for everything to try and stay up and things not going your way like that, it's just so frustrating. 'It's the basics at the end of the day. We bring VAR in, the least you expect is that it works. 'In our position, we can't have things like that going against us. At the end of the day, we're running out of time,. 'People can say, 'ah, VAR messed up' and it's a joke at the end of the day. But it's people's livelihoods. It's just so frustrating.' When Robertson was called to the monitor 20 minutes into the second-half, the game was finely poised with Killie a goal to the good following Danny Armstrong's 31st-minute penalty. Cameron subsequently levelled things up in the 76th minute when he finished off a smart move involving substitutes Fin Robertson and Seun Adewumi. But that is when Dundee's defensive weaknesses reared their ugly head yet again. Within seconds, Bruce Anderson was allowed space to head in Liam Donnelly's cross and then Robbie Deas nodded in Armstrong's corner in the first minute of injury-time. Cameron's second of the game four minutes later sparked hope but the attempted comeback fell short in another five minutes of stoppage time. 'Don't get me wrong, we concede too many goals,' added Cameron. 'So, we're not shifting blame because we know we need to address that and be better at that; we've done that all season. 'Obviously, it's not where we want to be. We want to be far out of this situation. 'Our initial goal in the season was top-six and I think we've shown we were capable [of that]. Going forward, we've scored so many goals. 'But we just concede so many goals and it's so frustrating that you score two or three goals and you either draw or lose the game. 'It's not sustainable. We just concede too many goals and that's why we are where we are.' Now they are in their current predicament, their route to safety is clear. Win on Wednesday against County, who are two points below, and that is that. However, a defeat, coupled with a win for St Johnstone away against Hearts, would leave automatic relegation still in play for an anxiety-laden clash with Saints at McDiarmid Park next Sunday. 'It's a big enough game anyway and, look, we don't want to be the team who feels hard done by all the time,' admitted Cameron when asked about a sense of injustice. 'But, at some point our luck needs to change and, hopefully, that's in the next two games. 'Thankfully, results probably went in our favour. It's still in our hands, we just need to go and beat Ross County at home.'
The Courier
10-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Dundee's defeat at Kilmarnock sparks more VAR confusion as boss Tony Docherty reveals SFA talks planned
Dundee boss Tony Docherty has been left demanding answers for the second week running after another VAR controversy in the 3-2 defeat at Kilmarnock that left his side still mired in the relegation battle With Killie leading thanks to a first-half Danny Armstrong penalty, referee Don Robertson was called over to the monitor after the break to check on a possible spot-kick for the Dark Blues. Simon Murray appeared to be pushed by home skipper Kyle Vassell. But, despite being made to wait by the screen for a considerable time, Robertson was not shown any footage of the incident by VAR official Gavin Duncan. Instead, it was decided the collision came outside the box so did not fall under VAR's remit. After having a goal chalked off by VAR in last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Motherwell, it was yet another contentious moment involving the Dens Park outfit. Vowing to quiz the Scottish FA's head of referee operations, Willie Collum, Docherty said: 'Unfortunately, I can't clear that up because I've just been seen speaking to the referee, to Don Robertson himself, and he couldn't clear it up for me. 'There's still confusion 15, 20 minutes after the game, exactly what happened. 'The explanation to me was that the referee was called over to the monitor. He gave an on-field decision that he didn't think it was a penalty. 'He was then called over by the VAR and the sequence they went through was to check if it was onside, first of all. 'It was onside and then the decision made was that it was outside the box. 'They never showed the referee an image. 'I've watched the image and it's inside the box and, by the letter of the law, that contact being inside the box, it's a penalty kick. 'Listen, I don't want to be this manager. that comes in every week and talks about referees' decisions. 'But the referee was called over and then was not shown an image. I don't understand that. 'I've spoken to him [Robertson] since I came back in. He's a good guy, Don, he's a good referee; one of the best, I think. 'I think there's an element of, whether it's, embarrassment and confusion for him as well, that he's got called across and then not shown an image.' Lyall Cameron did level things up for Dundee in the 76th minute but just a minute later Bruce Anderson nodded in a Liam Donnelly cross to restore Killie's advantage. They stretched that lead in the first minute of injury-time when Robbie Deas nodded in an Armstrong corner. But, again, Cameron gave Dundee hope four minutes later, only for the home side to hang on. The defeat leaves Dundee in third-bottom but still not safe from the drop with two games remaining. With basement side St Johnstone now within five points of the Dark Blues, a win on Wednesday against Ross County, who are two points below, will be enough to avoid both automatic relegation and a play-off place. 'It's important that I now focus my team on a really big game on Wednesday night against Ross County,' added Docherty. 'And that's what we'll do. 'We'll analyse our part in the defeat. And there is a lot to look at there in terms of 2-0 away from home should be enough to get a result. 'We knew going into the bottom-six fixtures, we knew the sequence of the games, we knew what was in front of us. 'We knew what we had to do and it's crystal clear now what we have to do.'
