Sickener- watch the brutal attack on Idah that Dickinson thought was only a yellow card

David Dickinson demonstrated at Motherwell today why he shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near refereeing top football matches.

With the match in stoppage time and Celtic cruising to a 3-0 victory Liam Gordon’s frustrations got the better of him as he launched a brutal attack on the Achilles of Adam Idah soon after the substitute had scored Celtic’s third goal.

It had been a tough second half for the home side, they came close to scoring with a few early chances revolving round Lennon Miller but barely got a look in after the break.

Celtic were utterly dominant with Alastair Johnston doubling their lead in the 56th minute with Motherwell then on a damage limitation exercise.

A third goal for the visitors wasn’t unexpected but Gordon’s attack on Idah could have caused serious damage.

Dickinson had been typically lenient with the home side putting in some industrial challenges that went unpunished, Celtic should have had a first half penalty when Daizen Maeda was pushed over but Alan Muir on VAR didn’t think that it was worth a pitch side review.

Encouraged by that sort of decision Gordon lunged in to rake his studs down an opponent, Dickinson had a clear view of it and decided that it was only a yellow card.

After play was held up, and with the result beyond doubt Muir applied the Laws of the Game, requested a pitchside review with the yellow card upgraded to red.

For no reasons related to his ability to control a match Dickinson has risen through the ranks at the SFA, with Willie Collum out of commission for matches at Ibrox last season Dickinson refereed Phil Clement’s side on December 24, January 27, February 28, March 30 and May 5 last season.

Those appointments proved very popular with his family, especially Uncle David cheering on from afar in Australia.

Today’s leniency wasn’t a one off for Dickinson, earlier this month he decided to yellow card Ianis Hagi for a sickening over the ball lunge at Benjamin Kimpioka before VAR intervened to upgrade the card to yellow.

Brendan Rodgers reported that Idah’s ankle was initially numbed with the Celtic boss hoping that no serious damage was done with a full assessment due once the swelling dies down.

Dickinson is expected to referee his first Glasgow Derby when Celtic visit Ibrox on January 2.