Mark Wilson hits out at Walter Smith for 'pointing the finger' at Celtic Celtic defender Mark Wilson has hit back at outgoing Rangers manager Walter Smith's comments suggesting the Hoops were the catalysts for a controversy-filled season for questioning the authority of match officials. Smith's final game in charge at Ibrox was last Sunday's 5-1 win over Kilmarnock which secured the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title for Rangers by one point from Old Firm rivals Celtic. The 63 year-old then said he was pleased to be leaving Scottish football, believing Celtic's contentious relationships with both match officials and the Scottish Football Association overshadowed the whole season. Wilson disputed Smith's claims, defending Celtic's stance, and was sad the Rangers manager felt it necessary to make the comments after taking his ninth SPL title. Wilson said: "If I won the league I'd just be delighted my team had won the league instead of having a parting shot. "It's disappointing now looking back at the end of the season that the Rangers manager, who has been hugely successful at Ibrox, ending on the final day winning the championship, still feels he has to point the finger at something instead of just enjoying the success he's had. "It was the referees' problem. It's just unfortunate that it was our club at the centre of it. We were right to defend ourselves in the way we did." Wilson referred back to the Oct 17 clash at Dundee United, when Celtic had a penalty controversially rescinded in their 2-1 win and the subsequent fallout led to referee Dougie McDonald admitting to lying to Bhoys manager Neil Lennon. After forensic analysis of the events at Tannadice, claim and counter-claim, McDonald accepted responsibility and resigned.Scottish officials were subject to heightened scrutiny and in November they opted to strike, upset at questions over their honesty and integrity. Wilson felt it was unfair for Celtic, who later successfully challenged a touchline ban on Lennon, to be deemed culpable for the events. Wilson added: "When you look back to it - I think Walter Smith will agree, everybody will agree - a referee lost his job for lying to the manager at Tannadice. "That's what kicked it off and it went on from there with the referees' strike. It was a poor part of the season, no doubt. We didn't like it, as much as any other team in the league didn't like it. "Every club and manager is critical of referees when they feel they've got a point. "I just feel the evidence has come out now that we were in the right at that time. I don't think we set the tone for it, no." Wilson agreed with Smith's assertion that the focus went away from football, but he denied Celtic were at fault. "I don't see how that can be blamed on our club," he added. "He has got a point - the focus did go away from football - but I don't think he should be pointing the finger at any club. It's kind of disappointing that he's left saying things like that."
well done to the lad shame he didn't point out a lot more things that lot have said or done this season, i seem to remember them making a lot of fuss about Celtic players and the management team winding them up yet the first thing they do when they win is wind Celtic up? thank **** that bitter old tool is away and i wont have to listen to the dignity myth much more! about as much dignity as oor Shaun!
I fully agree with everything Mark Wilson had to say, it sort of proves that "Mr Dignity" has no dignity at all, and his sidekick, "The Poison Dwarf" has even less. Roll on next Season! Hail Hail.
It's refreshing to see A gers fan being honest about Walter for a change, the man has no class. Well said
