Willie Collum insists morale is high amongst Scottish referees at present, despite two high-profile resignations from the game.
Category One officials Steve Conroy and Charlie Richmond have both recently decided to stand down, despite having refereed in the Scottish Premier League this season.
Nearly 18 months on from a strike by the country’s top officials over unfair criticism, FIFA-listed ref Collum believes the picture has changed for referees.
“I think it [morale] was low for different reasons,” said Collum. “Certainly the morale of the referees just now is good. We’re performing well.
“I’ve just returned myself from a Europa League quarter final between Wisla Krakow and Sporting Lisbon. For a Scottish refereeing team to go so far in Europe is excellent.
“I am also part of the Euro 2012 team with Craig Thomson, which is fantastic. Scottish refereeing is thriving.”
Following the refs’ strike, the Scottish Football Association launched its Respect campaign, aimed at improving relations between officials, managers and players.
Asked if he felt the initiative had been a success, Collum said: “I think without a doubt. I think there has been more respect shown to referees. I think we’ve felt that as a body in general through the discussions we have had.
“I think it has been an easier time for me personally. I don’t think I have been involved in as much controversy. I’ve certainly been enjoying my refereeing. No matter how difficult games are, it’s always important to enjoy it.”
Despite the campaign, a number of managers have found themselves in trouble with the Scottish FA for comments made about referees both before and after matches.
Collum though has some sympathy for those who speak out in the heat of the moment. “It’s disappointing but I think managers are sometimes asked their opinion very near the end of the match,” he said.
“When the match finishes, right away they are asked their opinion. Sometimes people say things they think they maybe shouldn’t have said.”
Referees have often been called upon to explain certain decisions following games but, following a previous failed attempt to communicate with fans, Collum doesn’t believe such a scheme would be beneficial.
“We’ve trialled that through the Whistleblower,” he said. “It really became a ground for referees to apologise for decisions. I am not so sure I would need to come out and explain decisions.
“We are very happy to talk to the clubs and talk to the players. Every manager in Scotland has the opportunity to come and speak to the referee at the end of the match and engage us about decisions or anything that happened in the match.
“We are happy to speak. We are happy to speak to the players, the coaches and, at events like this, the media.
“I don’t know if putting a microphone in the referee’s face five, ten or 15 minutes after a match would bring benefits for anybody.
“Referees are under pressure. But so are players, coaches and managers. So are directors and chairmen. Everybody in football is under pressure to produce results.”