David Friel of SunSport has revealed the SFA have told referees to ‘ignore’ one of the newly implemented rules for this season to avoid situations in powder-keg fixtures.

The new rule in question is something Celtic fans would’ve seen in action at Celtic Park on Saturday against St Johnstone. To counteract time wasting in games, when a player is subbed off they must now leave the pitch immediately at the nearest point to them. Hatem Abd Elhamed was substituted after picking up a knock and instead of walking to the dugout he was ordered to leave the field at his nearest point and walked around half the pitch to get to the dugout.

However, the SFA are wary of sending any rival player to the sidelines while the game is going on and in direct contact with opposing fans. There were a few flash points last season and while this new rule is to stop time wasting, it’s unfortunate we can’t trust fans to behave themselves.

According to Friel, the referees have been instructed to go with the traditional touchline exit for derby games this season.