Kevin Drinkell disappointed by refereeing furore

Kevin Drinkell insists the players - rather than the referees - should be making the headlines after the match official found himself under the spotlight following Sunday's Old Firm derby.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon hit out at Willie Collum for awarding Rangers a dubious penalty during the clash at Parkhead, a week after criticising a decision to rescind a spot-kick for his team against Dundee United.

The Celtic manager also claimed Lee McCulloch should have been sent off in a match his side lost 3-1, as the Scottish champions moved three points clear at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. Drinkell admits Lennon may have been right over the penalty call, awarded after Kirk Broadfoot went to ground under minimal contact from Daniel Majstorovic. But the former Rangers striker pointed out that referees are only human and the best way to eradicate such incidents is the introduction of video technology.

"The unfortunate thing about it is that the technology could be there to pinpoint and isolate different incidents during a game - the referee can only make a decision on what he sees," said Drinkell. "Sometimes things get blown out of all proportion but generally we all like it if it's the players who decide the result rather than anybody from the outside.

"The result says that, if Rangers hadn't got the penalty, they would still have won 2-1. But it can change the psyche of players, once the goal went in Celtic would maybe have found it too much to come back from.

"In terms of the penalty itself, it was a bit harsh in that he has maybe made a decision when he's not seen the whole part of the incident.

And of Rangers' chances of retaining their title, he said: "I'm sure Walter Smith won't want to get ahead of himself but that is a great, positive start for them."

Drinkell, speaking at the launch of his book Drinks All Round, helped Rangers on the road to nine consecutive championships, one of the most successful periods in the club's history.

"We all look back at our time and with fond memories and say it was better in our time. But what can be said about this current group of players is they are a team. Walter and Ally McCoist have gelled them together."