This review of the big calls takes us up to the fixtures completed on 27th December 2025.
21/12/25 Celtic vs Aberdeen
Incident 1
Referee: David Dickinson
Game Minute: 45th
Score At Time: 1-0
Incident: Maeda runs though on goal and is challenged by Lobban
Outcome: Foul to Celtic and RC to Lobban
Evidence: Celtic 3-1 Aberdeen | HIGHLIGHTS | William Hill Premiership
At 2:41
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict:
Challenge on Maeda
IOD: Foul to Celtic and Lobban sent off
The Celtic player reacts quickest to a loose pass from the Aberdeen keeper who is caught out of his area. Lobban clearly pulls back Maeda is who is about to go clear through on goal. Given the Celtic players central proximity and the goalkeepers awkward position out of goal, this is clearly the denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity and is correctly deemed to be a red card offence.
Verdict : CORRECT decision
Expected Points Outcome: No impact
27/12/25 Livingston vs Celtic
Incident 1
Referee: Matthew McDermid
Game Minute: 36th
Score At Time: 2-3
Incident: Corner kick hits Findlayson
Outcome: Penalty to Celtic for handball
Evidence:
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict:
Corner kick hits Findlayson
IOD: Penalty awarded to Celtic
In real time, in a congested box, it is difficult to see where the ball hits, but on replay there is the question of a possible accidental handball decision against the Livingston player.
On balance, I feel the wrong outcome is reached here. The defender’s arm is slightly out, but this is likely caused as a combination of his natural body shape jumping for the ball plus there is a nudge in his back from the closest Celtic player and this contributes to his body shape twisting slightly in the air. The contact on the left arm is secondary after it glances off the shoulder of the Celtic player with zero reaction time.
In this context, I don’t believe the threshold was met for a handball offence for accidental handball with body shape unnaturally larger and unjustifiable.
Verdict: INCORRECT decision. No offence the expected outcome.
Expected Points Outcome: Celtic +0.69 xPts
Incident 2
Referee: Matthew McDermid
Game Minute: 87th
Score At Time: 2-4
Incident: Maeda goes down chasing a long ball
Outcome: No decision
Evidence: Provided
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict:
Maeda goes down chasing a through ball
IOD: No decision
A very sly and deliberate trip on Maeda as he starts to latch on to a through ball. Surprised this wasn’t recommended as an onfield review.
Given the timing of Maedas run and the trajectory of the ball, I believe he would have been clean through with every chance of getting to the ball and have a clear shot on goal unopposed.
Verdict: INCORRECT decision. Free kick and red card for DOGSO the expected outcome.
Expected Points Outcome: Celtic -0.11 xPts
27/12/25 The Rangers vs Motherwell
Incident 1
Referee: David Dickinson
Game Minute: 60th
Score At Time: 0-0
Incident: Raskin scores for TRFC
Outcome: Goal disallowed for offside
Evidence: Rangers 1-0 Motherwell | HIGHLIGHTS | William Hill Premiership
At 2:25
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict:
Raskin scores for Rangers
IOD: Goal disallowed for offside
Even though Raskin is clearly onside as he shoots home from about 12 yards out, his team mate is literally stood side by side with the Motherwell goalkeeper as shot is hit.
There can be no doubt that this player clearly impacts the ability of the keeper to be able to attempt to save the shot and the goal is correctly disallowed for the offside offence.
Verdict: CORRECT decision.
Expected Points Outcome: No impact.
Incident 2
Referee: David Dickinson
Game Minute: 90th
Score At Time: 1-0
Incident: Fadinger goes down under challenge from Fernandez
Outcome: No decision
Evidence: Sportscene: Premiership Highlights - 2025/26: Rangers v Motherwell - highlights - BBC iPlayer
At 2:16
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict:
Fadinger goes down in the box
IOD: No decision
Interesting incident here as Fadinger looks to cut inside his man and break into the Rangers box. His marker makes a very slight extension of his left leg in an attempt to block but then looks to draw the leg back in.
The Motherwell player seems to initiate the contact with his left leg before dramatically dropping to the floor. The contact is very minimal and for me is not consistent with the way that Fadinger goes to ground.
Not all contact is deemed to be a foul and in the context of this situation, I feel Fadiger overplays the extent of contact in order to win his side a penalty. I am comfortable with the no foul decision.
Verdict: CORRECT decision.
Expected Points Outcome: No impact.
Summary
My thanks, as always, to the Yorkshire Whistler.
The referees have had a very good run this season, but Matthew McDermid and team were deemed to have got two big calls wrong in the chaos of Livingston against Celtic.
The Rangers have been estimated to have been impacted by 0.91 expected points over the season, and Celtic benefitted by 0.58.
Meaning a net benefit to Celtic of big calls of 1.49 expected points. At 27th December, Celtic led their rivals by six points after 18 matches.