Jim Jefferies says referees must develop thicker skin to handle criticism

Hearts manager Jim Jefferies last night claimed Scotland's under-fire officials have to be big enough to take criticism - just like managers and players.

The Tynecastle manager offered his opinion on the controversy gripping the domestic game by calling for referees to be stronger in the face of adversity.

Assistant referee Steven Craven has walked away from senior football in the aftermath of Celtic's controversial victory at Dundee United a week past Sunday. He resigned after being caught up, along with referee Dougie McDonald, in a furore over a decision to deny Neil Lennon's side a penalty at Tannadice.

The chorus of criticism from Celtic continued when whistler Willie Collum made his debut in Sunday's Old Firm fixture and was criticised by Lennon for awarding Rangers a spot-kick in the second half of the visitors' 3-1 win at Parkhead.

Threatening phone calls to Collum's home from irate 'fans' followed and in such a tense climate - with Celtic also writing to the SFA for clarification on recent decisions - it is believed that other top officials are considering following Craven's move.

Jefferies admits he has been no saint over the years - indeed he soon faces a date with the SFA after being sent to the stand in a 3-0 defeat at Celtic in September - but says officials have to handle the flak directed to them with a thicker skin.

He said: "Referees are trying to do a difficult job, but they have to accept criticism is part and parcel of the industry we work in. I get criticised, so do players. So they just need to dust themselves down, take it on the chin and get on with the job.

"I've had a few run-ins with referees, I'll admit that. They've got a tough job - a thankless job - and you wonder sometimes why they do it.

"Managers fall out with referees over decisions, but I don't think anyone has got deep down resentment towards them. It's a highly-charged emotional game and we don't mean anything deep down by it, but we're annoyed at the time when we think they get decisions wrong.

"Managers get stick and criticism, if players have a bad pass they'll get criticised, so maybe what the referees need to realise is they'll get criticism and praise. I'm sure there's a lot of time they've been praised. Criticism is part and parcel of football, just like praise is."

The 59-year-old continued: "Talk of strikes and packing it in is nonsense.I was having a chat with a good friend of mine, (former referee] Willie Young, and he got more criticism than anyone, but he didn't run away from it and want to resign - he dusted himself down and got on with it."

Jefferies, however, says the personal attacks on Collum are taking matters too far. "All the other stuff - the threats - there is no place for that," he said. "That's just people who are not right.

"I do agree when it gets over to the personal side there's no room for that. It's just nonsense. When it gets carried too far that's not right… and death threats are just ridiculous."

The Hearts manager also hopes Craven will reconsider.

He said: "I don't know what it was with Steven. He's someone I've come across a few times. I hope someone convinces him to come back into it. I don't know if it was something else or another agenda, but he's a great lad."