Honest Mistakes 2025/26 - to 4th February, 2026

TRFC fan favourite "Digger" Dickinson takes centre stage as we get all up to date.

This piece takes us up to end of play on the 4^th February 2026 as regards the big call reviews.

01/02/26 Celtic vs Falkirk

Incident 1

Referee: David Dickinson

Game Minute: 17^th

Score At Time: 0-0

Incident: McCann fouls Yang

Outcome: Foul to Celtic, YC to McCann

Evidence: Provided

Yorkshire Whistler Verdict:

McCann fouls Yang

IOD: Foul to Celtic, McCann cautioned

McCann slides in late on Yang and this tackle is at the very least reckless in nature and an obvious yellow card. There is the consideration of if this tackle also meets the red card criteria of being a tackle of excessive force and endangering players safety.

Given Yang looks to move out the way, and the contact is more glancing nature and also McCann bends his knee at the last second, it probably just falls below the criteria of a red card.

However, this is a subjective call and, on another day, could have seen a red card produced.

In summary you could argue a case for a card of both colours (the famous orange card kind of challenge!). But not enough evidence to say the yellow card was clearly wrong.

Verdict: CORRECT decision

Expected Points Outcome: No impact

Incident 2

Referee: David Dickinson

Game Minute: 76^th

Score At Time: 2-0

Incident: Tounekti scores for Celtic

Outcome: Goal disallowed for Maeda offside

Evidence: Provided

Yorkshire Whistler Verdict:

Tounekti scores for Celtic

IOD: Goal disallowed for Maeda offside

As the ball is played in, Maeda is just in an offside decision as the ball hits his foot before bouncing into the path of Tounekti who scores. On this basis Maeda is clearly influencing play from his involvement so is correctly adjudged to be active in the offside decision so the goal is rightly disallowed.

I’d initially seen the slight push by the defender on Maeda but in isolation that level of upper contact is never going to be enough to warrant a foul decision and falls with ‘acceptable contact’ territory.

Maeda begins his run into the space before the slight push and possibly would have been offside regardless of the gentle helping hand.

The possible foul is a subjective call whereas the subsequent is more a matter of fact - is he stood in an offside position or not.

Ultimately, I feel the right decision was arrived at

Verdict: CORRECT decision

Expected Points Outcome: No impact

04/02/26 The Rangers vs Kilmarnock

Incident 1

Referee: David Dickinson

Game Minute: 4^th

Score At Time: 0-0

Incident: Thompson and Gassama challenge for the ball

Outcome: Foul to TRFC and penalty; RC to Thompson

Evidence: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002r1lt/sportscene-premiership-highlights-202526-04022026

At 2:34

Yorkshire Whistler Verdict:

Thompson and Gassana challenge in the box

IOD: Penalty to Rangers and Thompson sent off

Gassana gets goal side of Thompson and is a clear goal scoring position only 12 yards out. Thompson impedes him by putting his arm across him and the feet also tangle.

As there is no genuine attempt by Thompson to actually play the ball, this is correctly adjudged a penalty and red card offence.

Verdict: CORRECT decision

Expected Points Outcome: No impact

Incident 2

Referee: David Dickinson

Game Minute: 36^th

Score At Time: 1-0

Incident: Ball hits Polworth in the box

Outcome: No decision

Evidence: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002r1lt/sportscene-premiership-highlights-202526-04022026

At 5:27

Yorkshire Whistler Verdict:

Ball hits Polworth in the box

IOD: No decision

Polworth goes to head the ball away and misjudges the flight of the ball. As such the ball rolls down his arm and is then cleared. As the arm is quite tucked in and appears to be in a natural position as he attempts to play the ball, this accidental handball is not an offence.

Verdict: CORRECT decision

Expected Points Outcome: No impact

Incident 3

Referee: David Dickinson

Game Minute: 57^th

Score At Time: 1-0

Incident: John-Jules tries to get onto a through ball under challenge from Tavernier

Outcome: No decision

Evidence: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002r1lt/sportscene-premiership-highlights-202526-04022026

At 6:43

Yorkshire Whistler Verdict:

John-Jules goes to ground under challenge of Tavernier

IOD: No decision

As ball is played over the top, both players compete to win the race to the ball. The Rangers defender’s arm comes across his opponent slightly, but this appears to be no more than expected contact. The Kilmarnock striker goes to ground far too easily and I’m confident no foul has been committed here.

Verdict: CORRECT decision

Expected Points Outcome: No impact

Summary

My thanks, as always, to the Yorkshire Whistler.

A “Digger” special, as The Rangers podcasts’ fan favourite was the only referee under the spotlight today.

The Yorkshire Whistler is on his side for these calls and so credit is due.

The Rangers have been estimated to have been hampered by 0.72 expected points thus far.

The Rangers lead Celtic by three points after 25 matches, with Celtic having a game in hand.