Emmanuel Ferendez is rapidly filling the boots of Connor Goldson in the eyes of SFA officials and Scottish media pundits.
After just four starting appearances in the SPFL the former Peterbrough defender is discovering how differently the Laws of the game are applied in Scotland.
With Willie Collum carefully selecting the match officials Fernandez has got away with two handball incidents in the penalty area that defy logic.
If he was still at Peterborough he’d be dropped from the team as a liability. In Scotland Danny Rohl is discovering that he has an extra line of defence. Immune from handball decisions. Much like Goldson.
Three years ago Goldson was on an incredible run of handball decisions.
CONNOR GOLDSON’S LAW
As fans of almost every club in Scotland suffered new interpretations on handball were being uncovered on a game by game basis.
Usually BBC Sportscene were given the message, Neil McCann delivered with complete belief and unshaken faith in the message.
Goldson and Micky Beale were wise to it. His arms could form any sort of shape, strike the ball and play would continue. The VAR official wouldn’t call out and embarrass his on-field colleague. In a few weeks they would probably be in reverse roles. The old marking your own homework gag.
With their 25/26 title challenge hanging by a thread, many of the Gullible have written off this season’s title, the Ibrox club are enjoying a rich run of good fortune.
A win over Livingston was delivered when a draw or worse looked like the outcome. The draw at Dundee United could and should have been worse.
Take three points off the tally and Rohl’s team slip down to sixth place. Not good in a two horse race
11 days ago. https://t.co/pVkGwEOfvU
— Lint (@Zeshankenzo) December 3, 2025
TWO CLUBS DENIED PENALTIES
John Beaton set the ball rolling on VAR duty for the visit of Livingston to Ibrox. It should have been an uncomplicated fixture, an easy day out for the lads at the Crown Bar in Bellshill.
With the score at 1-1 Tete Yengi had a clear shot at goal. The ball passed Fernandez’s body, he then swing his left arm at the ball to clear the danger.
Match referee Ross Hardie ignored it. He could anticipate the reaction from Beaton in the VAR studio. A late goal for the home team completed the outcome.
There was a little media attention for 24 hours. Nothing of Auston Trusty proportions. With the SFA ignoring penalty incidents involving Reo Hatate and Michel-Ange Balikwisha.
David Martindale’s initial anger at the Fernandez handball quickly quelled. A phone call from Beaton soothed the pain, the Livingston boss even turned up on BBC Scotland at the Linlithgow Rose v Queens Park Scottish Cup tie to explain that these things happen. They sure do, to Dundee United on Wednesday night.
DOUBLING UP
With his team trailing 2-1 Fernandez was feeling the pressure. The away support were shouting all sorts of abuse at Rohl’s players.
A long throw-in from Dundee United spelled DANGER. Fernandez watched it closely, again the ball crossed him, this time the right arm came up to clear the danger.
David Dickinson didn’t want to upset his watching friends and family. Don Robertson on VAR duty knows what is expected.
Funnily enough Nick Walsh and Grant Irvine viewed an incident in the Hibs v Celtic match very differently. Thankfully the media messengers quickly explained why there was no comparison between the two incidents. Cheers lads.
4 handball penalty shouts from the last 2 weeks.
Aberdeen v St Mirren.
Hibs v Celtic.
Rangers v Livingston.
Dutd v Rangers.2 of these incidents were given as penalties.
2 weren’t. pic.twitter.com/HyWarudxKo— Lint (@Zeshankenzo) December 4, 2025
ROBERTSON REWARDED
After ignoring the Dundee United penalty claim on Wednesday night Robertson has been rewarded with Sunday’s match between Celtic and Hearts.
Out of Celtic’s 15 SPFL Premiership matches Robertson will have refereed five. That is clearly a ploy by Willie Collum, he knows what Robertson delivers.
Celtic will have upwards of 65% possession in the match. Hearts will get between three and 16 times as many free-kicks.
When Hibs visited Celtic in September the hoops had 77% possession of the ball. The free kick count was 16-1 against Celtic. They had to wait until the 88th minute for a free kick from the SFA official.
There are some strange, bespoke issues in Scottish football that Wilfried Nancy will soon be discovering.
Rangers last 6 domestic penalties:
Dundee Utd 96th minute 2-1 down.
Celtic 81st min 1-0 down.
Livingston 28th min 1-0 up.
Alloa 67th min 2-1 up.
Dundee 92nd min 1-0 down.
Queens Park 96th min 1-0 down.
4 of 6 after the 80th minute when a goal down.
3/6 after 90. https://t.co/xLsMXoGEeJ
— Lint (@Zeshankenzo) December 4, 2025
