Scottish football is a beautiful game, full of passion and drama, and occasionally even the downright bizarre that make the sport more enjoyable. Take a look back at nine weird and wonderful moments from Scottish football in recent times which embody the spirit, humor and unpredictability of the game in Scotland.
9 Weird and Wonderful Scottish Football Moments
1. Rangers Awarded Four Penalties in One Game
Rangers were awarded four penalties in their 4-0 win over St Mirren at Ibrox. In It was referee Andrew Dallas who fell under the spotlight due to this bizarre decision. Rangers manager Steven Gerrard claimed they could have had five penalties, while St Mirren manager Oran Kearney said only one was clear and at least two were incorrectly awarded. This match prompted a lot of debate over refereeing standards.
2. Referee Vomits on the Pitch
During a Highland League match between Lossiemouth and Huntly, referee Paul McAvinue vomited all over the center pitch, which momentarily suspended the game. Lossiemouth tweeted about the incident in a tongue-in-cheek manner; the game resumed once a substitute referee took charge. Beyond the action, this rare incident showcased the unpredictability of football matches.
3. Goalkeeper Penalised for Catching His Own Clearance
Partick Thistle’s goalkeeper, Conor Hazard, penalized for catching his own clearance in Scottish Cup tie. Hazard, attempting to clear the ball upfield, saw the strong wind push the ball back towards him and had no choice but to use his hands. The referee gave the opposition, East Fife, an indirect free-kick under the back-pass rule. The unusual incident highlighted the unpredictable ways nature can sometimes get in the way of the game.
4. Deer Droppings Delay Kick-Off
The Highland League fixture featuring Fort William was delayed when math officials found the pitch littered with deer droppings. Nairn County tweeted that the Kick-off was delayed because of referee stuck in traffic and also the waterlogged and deer-fouled pitch.
5. Coconut Thrown During Edinburgh Derby
During a heated Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle, an unusual object-a coconut-was thrown onto the pitch. Nobody ever figured out why someone brought a tropical fruit into a Scottish football match, but it added to the list of bizarre items fans have thrown during games, showing the quirky side of fan behavior.
6. Manager Sent Off for Tripping Throw-In Taker
Darren Young, East Fife’s manager, was sent off for tripping an Airdrie player, Scott Robertson, as he was about to take a throw-in. You don’t often see managers involved in the game physically like that, and it’ll be a memorable and strange moment in Scottish football.
7. Managers Come Out of Retirement to Play
In an injury crisis, Brechin City called on former Dundee captain to play at the age of 45, eight years after he had retired. Clyde manager Danny Lennon also made his mark by playing at 50 in a Glasgow Cup match. These comebacks underline the lengths clubs go to, and the desperation they feel sometimes.
8. Singer Amy Macdonald’s War of Words with St Johnstone Manager
Singer Amy Macdonald clashed with St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright on Twitter over the departure of her husband, player Richard Foster. Wright described Macdonald as “petty and ill-informed,” while she accused him of “casual misogyny.” It was an unlikely off-field spectacle that brought celebrity culture into the football world in a way rarely seen.
9. Albanian President Becomes a Celtic Fan
Albania president Ilir Meta found became a fan of Celtic one of Scotland’s biggest clubs. He kept a close eye on the team via Twitter and even wished Celtic player Greg Taylor a happy birthday. This international fan story is a reminder of how Scottish football can resonate far beyond its shores.
Takeaways
These are just a few incidents and stories that show Scottish football is about more than results and silverware, but the ups and downs that provide unique moments of laughter, surprise, and character. From a derby day coconut to a presidential endorsement, Scottish football is not short of weird and beautiful moments that will be the talk of the fans for years.
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Sources:
- https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/18127995.10-weird-wonderful-moments-scottish-football-2019/
- www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/feature/10-bizarre-scottish-football-moments-of-2018_345506.html
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