Bobby Madden addresses Hearts 'myth' as he speaks on Douglas Ross, and reveals the 'angriest man in football'

Bobby Madden has set the record straight on the infamous Hearts v Hamilton Accies match of December 2017 as he answered questions from followers on social media.
Bobby Madden with former Hearts boss Craig LeveinBobby Madden with former Hearts boss Craig Levein
Bobby Madden with former Hearts boss Craig Levein

The prominent official, who will oversee Hibs’ home match with Celtic on Saturday, invited his Instagram followers to quiz him on refereeing while he waited for a flight back to Scotland.

Madden responded to some queries late on Thursday but after an overwhelming number of people got in touch, extended the Q&A session into Friday.

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Answering the question, “Do you remember Hearts v Hamilton a few years ago when you needed a police escort out of Tynie?” Madden replied: “That's a bit of a myth.

“I’m one of the few that kept their composure that day, and the police politely asked me to stop smiling as the locals were a little upset. No harm meant.”

The referee sent off Hearts defender Jamie Brandon before half-time as well as sending Craig Levein to the stand. His assistant Austin MacPhee was also dismissed by the whistler after an incredible touchline scuffle with Accies midfielder Darian MacKinnon.

Asked if he had ever desperately needed the bathroom during a match, Madden responded: “Thankfully not. There was an assistant ho went off injured at Tynecastle once with a “sore calf”.

"I’ve never seen someone with a sore calf run like that!”

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Madden also praised the renovations at the Gorgie stadium, adding: “They've made some fine improvements there, and always a great atmosphere.”

The official also designated Dundee midfielder Paul McGowan as the “angriest man in football” and asked for his opinion on Scottish Tory leader and linesman Douglas Ross added: “A fine gentleman and a very good assistant.”

Staying on the subject of Scotland's men in black, he singled out Nick Walsh and Steven McLean as his fittest colleagues.

The 42-year-old also revealed the funniest incident he had been involved in was having to have a fan removed from a game for “pulling an assistant’s shorts down”.

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Quizzed on the best stadium at which he has taken charge of a game, Madden replied: “Donbass Arena for facilities, Red Star Belgrade for atmosphere, and the San Siro as I always watched Italian football growing up.”

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