The penalty Celtic conceded yesterday was met with a bone of contention by the Celtic supporters and former Celtic striker John Hartson.
As Hartson claimed Aberdeen defender David Bates ‘bought’ the penalty he raged on Celtic TV, “It’s Abada on Bates, but I’ve seen this now three or four times, and for me there is no contact.
“Abada pulls his foot away. Not only is it not a penalty for me, but it’s a yellow card for Bates also.
“But the referee couldn’t point his finger quick enough to the spot.
“I genuinely think there is no contact at all there and Abada and Celtic have been really hard done by.
“Lewis Ferguson steps up and was really calm, and takes a good penalty, but it should never have got to there.
“I genuinely don’t think Abada touches Bates at all. I think they have bought a decision off the referee there Aberdeen.”
But not so says former FIFA referee Dermot Gallagher. Gallagher reckons [The Daily Record] that although it was accidental, referee Kevin Clancy, got this one spot on, “Penalty. Unfortunate, but it’s a penalty, isn’t it?
“He dangles a leg, he doesn’t mean to trip him but he does trip him.
“The referee has an absolutely perfect view.”
I thought the penalty decision was soft, and still do, as it looked like the contact was minimal but as Celtic went on to win the match 2-1 courtesy of a Callum McGregor winner, I don’t think I would have been so forgiven if the Hoops had dropped points and lost further ground in the league.