From John James…
Has John Beaton Gift-Wrapped The League Flag For Rangers*?
Ten years ago, almost to the day, Bilel Moshni bundled the Albion Rovers keeper and the ball into the net. It was the very definition of cheating most foul. To the astonishment of everyone with two functioning eyes, John Beaton allowed the goal to stand. At that point I knew that one of The Lanarkshire/Loyal Referees Association (LRA) graduates, who was inducted in the Craft – one must be a Freemason to be eligible for LRA promotion – was prepared to cheat for Rangers*.
There have been many other incidents in which Connor Goldson of Rangers* has been granted immunity by John Beaton. Goldson can impress his studs on the thighs of an opponent for having the temerity to linger in the box and escape any sanction from Beaton. Goldson can use both hands in the box and when this incident is referred to VAR he can elect to shout at Beaton ‘don’t you fucking dare.’
Beaton ignored the VAR evidence of hand ball. Was Goldson threatening repercussions at Beaton’s Masonic lodge?
In a Glasgow derby, Alfredo Morelos kicked Scott Brown in the groin, made a grab at Ryan Christie’s genitals and stamped on Tony Ralston’s back. Beaton’s decision not to penalise Morelos prompted Celtic to make a formal complaint. Beaton’s fellow Freemasons at the SFA buried the complaint. Beaton allowed himself a congratulatory pint at a local Loyalist watering hole after the game for a job well done in the service of Rangers*
Having emerged Scot Free from so many incidents of game subversion John Beaton felt emboldened to cut Celtic’s title challenge off at the knees on Sunday. His team had uncharacteristically dropped three points on the preceding Saturday – was he at game as a guest of Rangers*?
The running joke in Glasgow is that for every priest allowed free entry into Celtic Park, Rangers* extend an invitation to a SFA referee. Those that are on message are treated to the full match day experience. A purported vat of Fenian blood to wade in is most probably an urban myth.
Yang’s attempt at a delicate flick was met by Cochrane putting his head in a place where more sentient beings would fear to go. As Cochrane feigned being on the lower rungs of a Glasgow Scale Coma, referee Don Robertson – no friend of Celtic – brandished a yellow card. Had it not been for Cochrane’s literal desire to run through a brick wall for his manager and his reaction, the incident could have passed without caution.
John Beaton however was using VAR to the detriment of Celtic. He set up a still image to solicit a red card. Robertson obliged. Celtic’s bright start came to an end after 12 minutes. Advantage Beaton.
Much to Beaton’s chagrin Celtic looked the more likely to prevail against an abject Hearts team. He therefore needed to put another obstacle in their path. His opportunity came when Alister Johnston’s aerial challenge led to the ball cannoning off Iwata’s elbow. There was nothing deliberate in this hand ball. Connor Goldson has escaped sanction for much worse.
Beaton now had Celtic on the back foot. All he then had to do was to cancel an O’Riley goal for offside in the build-up to maintain Rangers* two point advantage with the added bonus of Yang being suspended for the two games prior to the Glasgow derby at Ibrox.
John Beaton has wrapped the €60m league title in red, white and blue ribbons. The spineless amoeba on the Celtic board have taken their seats at the back of the bus. Colour me surprised.
A more enterprising board would hire a KC to run a forensic eye over Beaton’s decision making. A case for bias would be a slam dunk.
Would it surprise anyone if Beaton were appointed in a material capacity to one or both Glasgow derbies? Just to make sure that the SFA’s eleven prevail.
As for the SFA not indicting Brendan Rodgers on disrepute charges they know full well that he might appoint a KC to defend himself and expose the SFA’s rotten core of bias to a UEFA and FIFA audience.
Crawford Allan and John Beaton, who both swing the lead, may well have swung it for Rangers*. They will however take Rodgers on at their peril.
