Ibrox side Glasgow Rangers and Celtic are the Scottish Premiership’s biggest clubs, but does that buy them favourtism among officials?
Celtic and Rangers are two of the biggest clubs in Scotland by a significant distance.
The bitter Old Firm enemies have won over 200 domestic honours between them, as well as European titles.
In terms of history, prestige and revenue, Celtic and Rangers dwarf every other Scottish side. Just ask Daniel Bachmann.
The Kilmarnock goalkeeper, on loan from Watford, has suggested to The Daily Record that the Hoops and Steven Gerrard’s side are favoured by referees against smaller clubs.
The Gers won four penalties in a game at Ibrox earlier this month – some of them contentious – while Bachmann feels that Celtic captain Scott Brown was lucky not to get sent off before he was Sunday’s fiery clash at Rugby Park.
Brown, who scored a last-gasp winner, was dismissed after picking up a second yellow card for celebrating his goal with the travelling fans, and was earlier cautioned for a rash challenge, which the 24-year-old stopper says was worthy of a red card.
“It is hard for the referee but there were challenges in the first half, trust me, that were a lot worse than that. The ball was gone about one or two seconds,” he told The Daily Record.
“He [Brown] just kicks him ankle high. It is just one of those things. The ref has only a split second to make a decision. He booked him
“It is not just against us. I need to be careful what I say here, but talk to me about six penalties in one week. Most teams don’t get six penalties in a season. Whether they are penalties or not, it’s a big number.”
Bachmann faces Rangers again on Wednesday in a Scottish Cup replay, following a 0-0 draw last time around. Gerrard’s side missed a penalty in the previous game.
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