Sport
Clyde pundit calls out Brendan Rodgers “dog whistle” as Rangers conspiracies run riot
Clyde Superscoreboard pundit Hugh Keevins has claimed that Brendan Rodgers was “dog whistling” to Celtic fans by leaning on Rangers conspiracy theories.
The Parkhead manager faces an SFA citation for branding the refereeing on show in Celtic’s 2-0 defeat to Hearts as incompetent and singling out John Beaton for criticism.
Whilst Don Robertson was the referee on the day, Brendan Rodgers focused on the role of John Beaton in the VAR room come full-time.
The comments are in direct breach of the SFA’s disciplinary rules and the rest of Scottish football is watching on with regards the governing body’s next step.
But as football phone-ins and social media are awash with John Beaton criticism and pro-Rangers conspiracy theories, Hugh Keevins has suggested Brendan Rodgers knew exactly what he was doing.
Hugh Keevins on Brendan Rodgers “dog whistle”
Speaking on Clyde Superscoreboard, veteran pundit Hugh Keevins didn’t miss as the panel responded to a series of phone calls on the alleged pro-Ibrox bias of John Beaton.
The referee had to call in police back in 2019 following the fall-out of a Celtic Old Firm defeat at Ibrox and since then pro-Rangers conspiracy theories have led to the referee being criticised in Celtic circles.
A completely unverified image of the referee drinking in a blue-leaning bar at a completely unspecified time is usually held up as evidence.
After a disastrous result in Edinburgh, Hugh Keevins has called Brendan Rodgers out for using a “dog whistle” to the conspiracy theories.
“I think that Brendan Rodgers after the game, the repeated mention of John Beaton I think was a dog whistle to the Celtic fans,” said Keevins.
“The Celtic fans do believe that John Beaton is an awkward referee in Celtic matches, I’ll put it that way.
“All I can say in answer to (the conspiracies), if there is a conspiracy, how did Celtic get 11 of the last 12 titles?”
Despite initially stating that the SFA shouldn’t cite Brendan Rodgers for his comments on the refereeing at Tynecastle, after hearing the rule read out aloud and listening to Rodgers’ comments, Keevins changed his tone.
“He leaves the SFA no option but to pull him up for his remarks,” said Keevins.
“Brendan Rodgers has gone in full-steam ahead on the officials and the SFA will now take him to task and we will have days and days of discussing this particular issue.”
Celtic fan Rangers referee conspiracies going nowhere
If Rangers can keep their place at the summit of the Scottish Premiership then we don’t expect this “dog whistling” is going to stop.
Ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher claims it’s Rangers, and not Celtic, who have bigger cause for grievance following the weekend’s refereeing decisions.
But don’t let that stop the Parkhead fans, or their manager, from putting the character of a professional referee up for interrogation.
The truth is Celtic and Brendan Rodgers are hurting because they blew their chance to topple Rangers and no bleating about John Beaton is going to change that.
Let’s hope the SFA throw their support behind their referees after Rodgers’ deflection and ban the Celtic boss before sticking by their decisions in the match.
With the title race to go down to the wire, Celtic are likely to kick and scream when it comes to any decision that goes against them, whether it’s right or wrong.
For the integrity of the game north of the border, we need strong referees who will not cower under the pressure.
