Ref confesses to Old Firm penalty blunder

Referee Craig Thomson admits he should have given Celtic a second penalty in the defeat by Scottish rivals Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday.

With Rangers one up from a Kenny Miller goal, Thomson spurned calls for a penalty in the 12th minute when Shaun Maloney went down under a tackle from skipper Davie Weir.

Thomson did grant Celtic a penalty in the 25th minute after Rangers defender Sasa Papac tripped debutant Zheng Zhi. Aiden McGeady converted.

But Miller had already grabbed his second by then.

Rangers held on to win to go within a point of their city rivals at the top of Scotland’s Premier League.

Thomson admitted his error through the Scottish Football Association’s Head of Referee Development, Hugh Dallas.

Dallas said: “Taking charge of an Old Firm game is both high profile and challenging. Referees are well aware that their performance will be judged on calling the major decisions correctly.

“Whilst I would compliment Craig for his overall handling of yesterday’s encounter, he is disappointed at his error of judgement when he decided against awarding a penalty to the visiting team in the 12th minute.

“However, mistakes are part and parcel of football.

“I think that it says a lot for the character and professionalism of Craig that he has been more than willing to hold his hands up on this one.”

Walter Smith hopes Rangers’ 2-1 victory will help kick-start his club’s season.

It brought to an end a run of three straight goalless draws in the league for the defending champions who also endured midweek European misery with a 4-1 home defeat by Sevilla in the Champions League.