Managing confrontation

When Gordon Strachan was sent to the stand on Sunday, the look of surprise on his face was consistent with someone who genuinely considered himself to be the innocent party, despite which he later expressed regret at “letting his team down”.

Neither surprise, regret nor a shred of humility could be said to apply to Hearts coach John McGlynn who was seen to approach the Celtic bench to direct an uninterrupted stream of abuse. In contrast to his dignified superior Valdas Ivanauskas, McGlynn, would appear to fancy himself as a would-be hate figure for Celtic given some of his comments and actions over the past couple of years and his claims to have been “intimidated” into abusing the Celtic bench betray an idiocy that seems to be ably complemented with illiteracy. Hate figure? Try a panto villain in a cheap costume.

But “uninterrupted” is the operative word on this occasion, given that the approach of the fourth official seemed to be to allow McGlynn to leave his technical area to vent spleen while the man who should have been in the middle simply listened in. Stewarding unruly coaches can be a difficult task for a football official but, apart from checking the odd substitution number and some ritual stud inspection there is precious little for a fourth official to do other than to shepherd coaching staff to within their pens.

Enter Stuart Dougal, whose attention-seeking attitude should increasingly give cause for concern. It would appear that Dougal has identified a vacuum since the retirement of Hugh Dallas. Whether that vacuum is best filled by vacuous responses to situations he is expected to deal with professionally is by no means proven.

Regardless of suspicions and absurd incidents, Dallas was genuinely the best referee in Scotland. Dougal, on the other hand seems to be guilty of provoking confrontation and enjoying the headlines that result. It is surely a coincidence that in the infamous first Old Firm game at Ibrox last season, Dougal’s controversial dismissal of Alan Thompson came after Rangers fans highlighted statistical anomalies relating to their amazing lack of success against Celtic when Dougal had officiated.

Rumours persist, though, that the “lenient” treatment Neil Lennon received, after berating the official following his own red card, had been in part due to accusations that Dougal’s own conduct was not that expected of an official – at least the second occasion on which such criticisms had been levelled at him.

At that point Dougal was said to be ready to resign, prompting an imminent strike due to the fear that referees could no longer feel safe with the likes of Neil Lennon around. Dougal has continued to seek publicity and controversy in what could only be described as a bald attempt to raise his own profile above his fellow referees. That is invariably the wrong step to take.

Is he driven by ego or perhaps noting the income Dallas is able to make with radio appearances and newspaper articles? Does he imagine that by incensing Celtic fans, he will gain more publicity and thus credibility?

Whatever his motivations, his treatment of Strachan – agreeing then refusing to explain his reasons for sending him to the stand – do nothing to encourage respect for referees. It also leaves room for suspicion that Dougal may prefer to deprive Strachan of the opportunity to prepare a defence for accusations that may be made against him.

Dougal ought to wake up to some realities of football:

• Respect is reciprocal

• Managers are there to lead, to be noticed, to give confidence by their presence – publicly backing down to boorish behaviour would display a weakness that would be seized upon by opponents and drain the players of respect

• Like little boys, referees should be seen and not heard.