Celtic's week of reckoning as the SFA and Livingston loom

Strap yourselves in folks, because this is where 'Everything Counts' and your team administers their version of the 'Policy of Truth'. The international football break isn't over yet but we are hurtling towards the climax of the Scottish Premiership campaign. It is shaping to be a week of reckoning for champions Celtic as they face battles on and off the park.

Let's deal with matters off the field, shall we? On Thursday, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will stand in front of the SFA beaks at Hampden Park to answer charges over his comments against the match officials in the 2-0 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle earlier this month.

READ MORE: Celtic's Rodgers says re-refereeing was to blame for defeat

Despite match referee Don Robertson dealing with two separate incidents - which he saw with his own eyes - he inexplicably kowtowed to VAR operator John Beaton who intervened to upgrade Celtic winger Yang Hyun-Jun's initial yellow to a red card and again when he deemed a handball by Tomoki Iwata deliberate and awarded a penalty to the Edinburgh men.

Rodgers didn't mince his words and called out Beaton in a measured outburst during his post-match interview. The Celtic manager said: "My feeling is the game was decided by the officials. On the field and outside of the field. You guys know me well enough and I have been around long enough to know that I don't really comment on officials. I know that they make mistakes and whatever else but today that felt like really poor officiating.

"In my time up here, I’m not one to have a go at refs because I understand it’s a very very difficult position they are in. I try to respect decisions and give the benefit of the doubt. But I think when I see that level of incompetence is the only word I can use, then that makes me worry for the game. In such a tight title race, which it is and it’s fantastic to be involved in, that can make the difference. That today made a difference for us.

“VAR is not the problem here. That’s clear. It’s incompetence and I think the first one is a great example of the game being refereed outside of the pitch."

Rodgers seemed to have a point though, especially concerning Iwata's handball and the clear UEFA guidelines on that specific rule. It is the 12-letter word 'incompetence' that has landed Rodgers in hot water with Scottish football's ruling body. Rodgers’ use of the word ‘incompetence’ has led to the charge. The Northern Irishman has broken the rules regarding comments about match officials. He is the first manager to be charged by the SFA this season for directing his ire towards VAR and the SFA officials. The 51-year-old has an unblemished and exemplary track record from both of his stints as a manager in Scotland thus far. In layman's terms, it is a 'first offence'.

However, there are seemingly three options open to the SFA:

a) A fine.

b) A ban.

c) A warning or censure based on a previous record.

Conspiracy theorists have had a field day with this one by insisting that there was something sinister in the timing of the hearing occurring a few days before Celtic take Livingston and 10 days before they head to Ibrox for the third Glasgow derby of the season.

A two-game touchline ban would see Rodgers absent from the technical area for both matches. Celtic isn't the only side to have complained about how VAR is being operated and implemented in Scottish football. Motherwell, Aberdeen and even Rangers have all had their issues. The Fir Park club demanded answers‘ on a bizarre handball given against their club just before the international break. The pot has been stirred. Tensions are simmering. In Scottish football terms: "Now is the spring of our discontent."

The irony in all of this is the fact that Crawford Allan, the head of Scotland’s referees, last week announced his decision to step down, although he will stay in his role until his new successor is appointed. Allan's decision has effectively come in the wake of a vote of no confidence in him and the refereeing system by all the Premiership clubs. There is widespread disillusionment with Allan, the SFA, referees and all that they are supposed to represent.

The question therefore remains on Thursday is there a zeal and a zest by the SFA to publicly hang Rodgers at his hearing? Is retribution the SFA punishment that will be used against Rogers to quell any future dissenting voices? Is Rodgers going to be a sacrificial lamb to sweep these deep-lying concerns under the carpet?

Surely the bigger issues concerning Scottish football lie with the refereeing system itself and the VAR operatives. The SFA need to read the room on this one as there is already a deep divide between the member clubs and those at the top of the VAR and officiating tree. If Rodgers' SFA court hearing results in a ban that could widen to a chasm that may never be bridged.

There is an opportunity here for constructive dialogue about VAR and officiating that can't be missed or allowed to slip through their collective fingers. It is the SFA that needs to rebuild trust in the process with the member clubs, players, managers and fans. Not the other way around. The standard of officiating in this country is appalling. The officials are as Rodgers rightfully stated 'incompetent' at best. The governing body has to take its fair share of the blame for this. The SFA member clubs and managers like Rodgers can't all be wrong, can they?

Celtic and their lawyers are arguing about more than just a simple managerial ban for Rodgers on Thursday. They are hoping that shining a light on the glaring deficiencies of Scottish football officialdom that somehow it will lead to meaningful reform. We will hold our collective breaths on that one. Any discussion that leads to genuine improvement in the standard of refereeing in the Scottish game has to be welcomed. How the SFA can pursue punitive measures against Rodgers when you consider the backdrop to the hearing is astonishing. It would be unwise for the SFA to go in with all guns blazing.

Celtic and Rodgers will have their day off the park and in court on Thursday. A lot is riding on the outcome of Rodgers' case. Scottish FA’s disciplinary procedures for a start. Do those individuals and clubs who dare to challenge the system get treated fairly in this process? Rodgers' offence was for media comments not match-related. It is hardly heinous.

Would a fine or a warning regarding his future conduct suffice? Probably, given Rodgers' previous track record. Would a two-game ban be a suitable and just form of punishment for a manager who has never appeared in an SFA dock before?

READ MORE: Celtic icon Lambert says players must handle title pressure

As former Celtic midfielder Paul Lambert told the Celtic Way last week: "It doesn't really matter a jot if Brendan is in the technical area for the Rangers game or if he is serving an SFA ban. He will have his players well-drilled, disciplined and organised.

"That's when the Celtic players on the pitch will need to take responsibility. The onus will be on them to perform even if their manager is not there. Brendan knows the importance and the hype of the Rangers game but he can only take the players so far. The rest is up to the Celtic players and what they do on the day."

Lambert nailed it. Although it is a circus, a sideshow and a distraction that Rodgers could well do without. On the park, his focus and attention will be solely on the Livingston game. Rodgers men face two away games that will shape their title destiny. A trip to West Lothian is followed by a visit to Ibrox.

Yet this is the week where it all matters for Celtic. Celtic simply have to go to Livingston and win. Recent results suggest that Rodgers' men are well-equipped to do that. David Martindale's side has caused Celtic teams problems in the past but that shouldn't be the case this weekend. Not if Celtic are to go on and clinch the title.  Rodgers' biggest dilemma will be whom he starts against the Lions. Will Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor return from injury? Will Rodgers starting eleven give any clue as to who will start at Ibrox? However, for the time being, Ibrox can wait. Livi is all that matters.

As Lambert rightfully said the Celtic players have to find a coping mechanism and handle the pressure of a title run-in: "There is no point worrying about Ibrox if you can't beat Livingston. If you beat Livingston and Celtic should be able to do that then the Rangers match becomes massive and for that reason, I don't think Brendan won't let his players take their eye off the ball.

"It is the same for Rangers as well as they know they can ill-afford any slip-ups in the title run-in. The adrenal will be pumped up for Celtic because the players know they cannot afford to drop points against Livingston. That is a non-negotiable."

It is a non-negotiable for Celtic. Three points in West Lothian is a must. This is a huge week of reckoning for Celtic and Rodgers. Celtic, SFA hearings, and controlling the controllables. Why it's all part of the drama that is about to unfold in the Scottish Premiership home straight, isn't it?

Whatever the 'Mode', one thing is for certain, Celtic and their supporters 'Just Can't Get Enough', regardless of the opposition.