Craig Thomson

By Graham Barnstaple
March 28 2012

Two more officials will represent Scotland at this season’s Euros in Ukraine/Poland to join ref Craig Thomson, a surprise given the criticism they have received this year.

Thomson will be joined by Alasdair Ross and Derek Rose, who will be deployed as assistant referees, with Willie Collum and Euan Norris as additional assistant referees. Graham Chambers completes the line-up as standby assistant referee.

Thomson was the lone Scot at UEFA Euro 2008 inAustriaandSwitzerland, as fourth official.

Given the criticism our refs every weekend this is a bit of a surprise that five of them have been recognised to officiate at some level in a major championship!

Thomson himself was the centre of criticism recently when he wrongly awardedAberdeena corner in their recent Cup tie atFirParkagainst Motherwell. This led to Well boss Stuart McCall protesting and being sent to the Stand.

Collum then was criticised by Neil Lennon for failing to award a penalty at the end of Celtic’s League Cup Final defeat toKilmarnock.

Maybe all this proves is we are all a bit too insular in Scotland and can’t see how well our officials actually perform, and particularly when compared to the rest of Europe.