Complaining about match officials has been with us for as long as the game has been played, just like there have always been people prepared to believe Celtic don’t get a fair crack of the whip.

As a player, then manager, at the club I was sure there were incidents you could point to which gave this credibility.

But if there ever really was a case to be made for certain officials having it in for the club, there is much less chance of this happening these days.

The scrutiny they are under from the multitude of cameras covering games would make it impossible to pull off.

Sure, there are mistakes and poor decisions, and some big ones have gone against Celtic in their two games against Rangers this season.

But they happen in most games, not just Old Firm matches.

For some reason, someone within Celtic Park has decided to highlight the fact they are so unhappy about the standard of refereeing that they have felt compelled to raise the matter with the SFA.

But I believe it is noticeable that it’s not manager Tony Mowbray who has chosen to go public on this matter.

When I was in charge of the team, I did raise the subject, more than once. In fact, no-one was more vociferous than me.

After the infamous 1986 League Cup final – in which Rangers won 2-1 after Davie Syme awarded them a controversial penalty, sent off Mo Johnston and also showed a red card to Tony Shepherd before realising his mistake and calling him back onto the field – I went as far as to say Celtic should pack up and head to England in search of a fair deal from officials.

In hindsight, I realised I should have learned from Jock Stein, who was a bit more subtle when getting his point about referees across in public.

In private, he simply told us the best way to overcome any perceived injustice was to go up the park and score two more goals to make sure we won.

That said, we had a team good enough to do that.

It’s always better to raise this type of concern when you are winning, not when you are trailing by seven points in the championship.

It carries more credibility and avoids the accusation that it’s simply sour grapes.

To be honest, I really can’t understand the timing of this, and the reaction from the referees and the SFA has been predictable.

The danger is that a seed of doubt has been placed in the mind of the Celtic players before they head to Ibrox. They might be looking for any indication of decisions going against them when they should be focusing on winning.

And what effect will this have on referee Dougie McDonald?

I happen to think he has improved quite a bit in recent seasons. The fact this is his fifth Old Firm game confirms this.

But how will he react to the extra pressure this has brought? Will he clamp down even more to make sure that no-one can complains he missed anything? Will he be over-officious?

If he does fall into this trap, it will be to the detriment of the game as a spectacle and contest because it would be in danger of becoming too timorous an affair, and no-one wants to see that in an Old Firm game.

Will all of this controversy add spice to the occasion? Probably. Will it really make any difference? I don’t think so, and I certainly hope not.

It may have taken me a long time to accept this, but, like gatemen, football needs referees. We just have to hope that any mistakes they make don’t cost you too much.

Keano v Boyd shootout to decide high noon duel

Rangers v Celtic will be decided by Kris Boyd v Robbie Keane. Whoever comes out on top in their scoring duel will determine which set of fans leaves Ibrox in high spirits.

Kris has always been a prolific goalscorer, but not in games against Celtic.

His general play has improved in response to criticism that he was only interested in hanging around the box waiting for chances. Or, at least, his overall contribution is perceived by the fans to have improved.

In my eyes, he is still basic-ally a goalscorer, though that is not meant as any kind of slight on him.

Robbie is a completely different type of player. He makes his team perform better, and it’s little wonder they have wrapped him in cotton wool this week to make sure he is okay for Sunday.

If he can realise a dream by scoring for Celtic in an Old Firm game, I believe that could be the catalyst for a much-needed victory to reduce the advantage Walter Smith’s men hold to four points.

His new team-mates are beginning to understand his runs, and learning to get the ball to him where and when he wants it, as was shown by the pass from Diomansy Kamara which set up the goal against Dundee United last weekend.

Too often, Robbie has made runs in anticipation of the ball being played to him quickly, only to be caught offside because the pass is delayed.

Now the rest of the lads are getting on to his wavelength, and it is clear that he gives them all so much confidence just by his presence on the field.

Team-mates can sense his quality and how good he is.

Celtic have always been associated with top strikers, and there is no doubt Robbie falls into that category.

As has always been the case, big players come into their own on big occasions, and this weekend’s Old Firm game – with all that’s at stake – is a very big occasion.

If Celtic can’t close the gap on Rangers, then the championship race is effectively over with more than a quarter of the campaign to run.

The story of their season has read, hope, no hope, hope, no hope. It’s almost been like a pendulum.

After drawing at Aberdeen, it was definitely no hope. But, with Rangers’ game at Perth frozen off last Saturday, and Celtic winning against United, it has swung back towards hope, albeit not too much.

The pressure is very much on the respective strikers, Keane and Boyd, to deliver and show us which direction the race will now run.

Scott must show he has grown up

Scott Brown has been volatile and impetuous ever since he made his breakthrough as a teenager at Hibs.

He has impressed me with the way he has learned to control himself without taking away the aggression that is a big part of his game.

But, if that fieriness is in your make-up, it’s always there under the surface.

And this weekend’s Old Firm game could be the acid test for Scott to prove he can keep it in check, even when so much is at stake.

He will have added responsibility because he is wearing the armband.

I have already made it clear I thought this was a strange decision by Tony Mowbray, but it’s up to Scott to show he is mature enough to justify the appointment.

The Rangers players know him and will know which buttons to try and press.

With the result so important, he simply can’t afford to react.

I know from bitter experience it’s easier said than done. I recall one season we had to play Rangers three times in as many weeks – and I got booked in every match.

In the final one, I was lucky not to be sent off and it was only later when I saw a photo of the moment I was being booked, and the rage that filled my face, I realised how badly I had lost it.

It’s no excuse, but it’s all down to the importance of the game. It got to me, and Scott has to ensure that does not happen to him.

No doubting the Thomas mettle

You are either able to handle the pressure of an Old Firm, or you’re not. You will never find out until you play in one.

Only when you actually step into that cauldron do you find out what it’s all about.

Robbie Keane will be looking forward to it. But even he will quickly realise it is different from anything he has ever experienced.

At the other end of the age scale are Josh Thompson and Thomas Rogne.

No harm to Josh, or Darren O’Dea, who is also available, but if Glenn Loovens recovers from his hamstring injury, I’d play him alongside Rogne.

That’s a combination of experience and raw talent which could work.

But I know from my time managing in Norway that Scandinavians have the temperament to handle most occasions, and Thomas looks like a young man who is not fazed by anything.