A loud of Auld rubbish - Bertie

A goalless draw at Parkhead saw the champions emerge with their two-point lead over Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League intact, but neither side covered themselves in glory.Ibrox boss Walter Smith claimed afterwards the four SPL meetings between the clubs every season - which is often augmented by cup clashes such as the forthcoming Co-Operative Insurance Cup final at Hampden on March 15 - makes it difficult for the players to supply a spectacle.However, Auld, who played in the Celtic midfield in the 1960s and 70s when the Old Firm met just twice in the league each season, said over-familiarity need not result in a lack of flair or excitement."Whether they play each other four or five times is not the issue," he said."The players out there should be capable of entertaining the fans but that was sorely lacking on Sunday."Both sets of supporters are entitled to expect better."Celtic's first shot on goal was a Nakamura free-kick in the last minute. But both teams looked nervous throughout the whole game."I've played in Old Firm games like that but, nine times out of 10, both sides are nervous for the first half hour then they settle down."But neither team settled down in front of a magnificent crowd which should encourage you."I was delighted for John Fleck of Rangers and Celtic's Willo Flood, they were making their Old Firm debuts and they looked more settled than the more experienced players."Auld, however, insists any prospect of a classic was prevented by Calum Murray with his over-officious refereeing.Murray, in charge of his first Old Firm game, booked eight players despite it being a mostly insipid affair.Ibrox boss Smith and striker Kenny Miller criticised Murray for failing to award Rangers a penalty in the second half after the former Hoops striker had been felled in the box by Celtic skipper Stephen McManus.Auld believes constant stoppages ruined the match.He said: "I would like to have taken a stopwatch to the game to see how many minutes were actually played. There seemed to be so many stoppages."I don't like to talk about referees but it seemed like he had the pea stuck in his whistle."It is still a contact sport but with every tackle, or threat of a tackle, he seemed to blow up."It was frustrating for the punters and the fans who had paid good money to see the game."But the result doesn't change the title race. Both teams can drop points to other teams so there is still a long way to go."

Source: Team_Talk