bobbybingo

Eli Just scores for New Zealand against Chile. Subbed after 72 mins. Currently 4-0.

In fairness, Joe is 74 now.

I'm all for this new era of holding folk to account for errors of judgement that are not in the best interests of Scottish football. Out of interest, does anyone know the last time a top level referee, assistant or VAR official was sanctioned by the SFA for such an error of judgement?

As Michael Higdon would confirm. Though that was Rule 200, apparently.

Probably less likely now he's essentially a marked man in Scotland. The wording of Rule 77 is vague enough and broad enough for the SFA to trigger his suspended 2 game ban any time he steps out of line, whether that be a tackle, mouthing off or falling on his arse.

Hopefully, Slattery's ban pisses our guys off like the game at Pittodrie did.

Shhhh, before Fadinger gets a lifetime ban for diving.

This wasn't a breach of Rule 201, though, according to the SFA.

Disciplinary Rule allegedly breached: Disciplinary Rule 77. A recognised football body, club, official, Team Official, other member of Team Staff, player, match official or other person under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA shall, at all times, act in the best interests of Association Football. Furthermore such person or body shall not act in any manner which is improper or use any one (1), or a combination of, violent Conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour. Hearing date: Thursday, 26 March 2026 Outcome: Proved

The incompetence displayed by officials in general is off the charts. VAR has just given them another opportunity to display how clueless they are, and it can't be described as teething trouble, since decisions are getting worse with every passing week. If that lot can't play with their toys properly, they shouldn't be allowed any.

I honestly don't recall the assistant getting involved in the incident during the game, but if he told the ref it was a red card, that's just another official whose competence has to be questioned, along with the VAR team. Slattery was an idiot, and he's now been punished, but we all know there will be as much consistency applied to the issue of simulation as there is to every other issue in Scottish football.

He didn't con the ref, he conned VAR. Now they've used VAR to ban him.

How many games are the VAR officials banned for?

If the team can have a collective off-day and still not lose, we're doing not too bad. I think everyone needs a wee break, not just the players. There seemed to be a collective anxiety around the place on Saturday, with the prospect of losing a third consecutive game at the end of a fortnight that kicked-off with such high hopes and expectations. Maybe a mental reset is needed before the run-in, just as much as a physical rest.

If we're taking records against the top 6 into account, both Hibs and Falkirk have 2 wins, same as ourselves. All 7 Hibs defeats have come againt top 6 sides, while Falkirk have also lost 7 times against them. I wouldn't count anything out before we reach the split. Desperate times throw up strange results, as Dundee, Killie and St Mirren have shown over the past couple of weeks.

Not great at all, but if that was Hibs chasing us down, we'll be fine.

Hibs it, you mean?

It's boot on boot, a bit high, above the ankle, contact on the shin, reckless, but since he didn't break his leg, it's probably an orange card - though without the context (we know), every referee would give a red card. Thanks for clearing that up, Willy.

I think he gave his view on Hanley the last time Hibs were here.

Another Thursday, another great listen - especially his closing answer, even if some don't feel the same way.

I thought Hibs fans preferred Spoons.

If you think our season's basically been over since Pittodrie, fair enough. I don't feel that way at all, and whatever happens in the summer, I'll wring every bit of enjoyment I can get out of the remaining games.

Hearts just lost at Kilmarnock. They also lost a huge game at Ibrox and have failed to beat us so far. Celtic lost a cup final to St Mirren and still trail Hearts in the league. Rangers have only lost 2 league games but still sit in 3rd place, They lost a 2 goal lead at home to Celtic, and followed that up by going out of the cup to them in a penalty shoot-out last week. St Mirren have 9 huge league games coming up, plus another semi-final. We'll see how those go. Other than Falkirk fans, probably, I guarantee every other set of supporters have asked/are asking questions about their team's mentality this season.

No, those are all fair points. Our away form certainly hasn't been outstanding, though it hasn't been disastrous. One home loss in March is beyond anyone's wildest dreams, as is the quality of football. The success of the season does all depend on these last 8 games. It feels as though everyone's pretty much running on fumes at this stage. Those guys have put themselves where they need to be, so I suppose we're about to find out if they have the mentality, or to put it more bluntly, the balls to stay there.

Which team in our league has a big game mentality?