That tackle. It was unreal.
For those that didn’t see the knee-high assault on the Celtic defender, take a look at this:
https://twitter.com/Angeba11/status/1590457782221697025?s=20&t=uJb5Zp6YGo4bOCzOyzG1bQ
Even on first viewing, I was wincing at it.
A few more inches higher and a little bit more intent, then you are talking about a career-ending challenge.
Don’t forget, a player was sent off last season for a tackle that didn’t make contact but was dished a red because of the recklessness of the challenge.
What the hell is that then?
A tickle with a feather?
Maybe if Starfelt was wearing a different coloured jersey the Motherwell player would have walked but until then, all we can do is call it out.
And that’s exactly what Paul John Dykes did last night.
Speaking post-match on A Celtic State of Mind, Dykes said, “Let’s talk about the tackle if you can call it a tackle on Starfelt.
“On the first showing, I thought it was shocking.
“I’ve seen a few replays on it and it didn’t get much better.
“It goes a yellow card. It goes to VAR, they can see it in slow motion. They can watch it time and time, again various replays, various angles and yet still it doesn’t go down as a red.
“How on earth could that be the decision of any sane-minded individual who’s a professional in that role to watch that tackle and think it’s not a red card.”
It really was a terrible tackle and I just thank God that there was no serious damage done to a player that has just returned from a long term lay off.
The inconsistencies of the referees is really taking a battering since the introduction of VAR.
I bet the men in black wish it hadn’t been introduced now!