There isn’t a Celtic and Rangers game without Kris Boyd moaning.
Given that Celtic have schooled Rangers for the majority of the time that Boyd has been a pundit, he is used to churning out excuses.
Following the conclusion of Celtic’s extra-time win over 10-man Rangers on Sunday at Hampden, you got the same old reaction from the opposition.
Along with Rangers’ laughable statement on Monday evening, Boyd shared his thoughts on several calls that were made by on-field referee Nick Walsh during the game.
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Kris Boyd on Auston Trusty’s challenge on Jack Butland
The one where, even the ardent Celtic fan won’t dispute, is that Auston Trusty should have been sent off, just like Thelo Aasgaard in the first half.
And this is what Boyd had to say about the incident on the Warm Up podcast.
“The face area is totally different to everywhere else as well,” said Boyd. “I think that has to be taken into consideration.
“Punching somebody in the arm isn’t going to do much. But if you are close to him in the face, it could do serious damage. I think the face is totally different.
“There is no doubt there was contact there. Does he kick his head off? No. But does he make contact with him? Yes. Does he know exactly what he is doing? Yes. You can tell by his reaction.
“What’s that, over 70 games now in Scotland since Celtic had a red card? Incredible, eh. Over 70 games now, wow.”
Mulgrew: “Very fair team, Celtic.”
Boyd: “Especially when you get away with foul after foul after foul after foul.”
And there is more from bitter Boyd…
But where the bitterness started to creep in from Boyd was with his claim that Rangers’ penalty was legitimate, and Anthony Ralston was rightfully punished.
Even though Steven Naismith disagreed, Boyd was insistent that the right call was made and even took a swipe at Daizen Maeda and Ralston for their persistent fouls.
Of course, Boyd didn’t mention Derek Cornelius’ red card challenge in the first half, or Callum Osmand being thrown to the ground in extra-time when the Rangers man was on a yellow card.
Or even John Souttar’s persistent fouls, or even Mohamed Diomande making contact with Johnny Kenny when he was on the floor.
Naismith: “Rangers, penalty?”
Boyd: “Yeah, penalty.”
Mulgrew: “Not for me.”
Naismith: “I don’t think it’s a penalty either.”
Boyd: “I think the laws of the game will tell you. If you throw yourself at it, and that’s exactly what he did.”
Mulgrew: “He had to throw himself at it because there was a wee altercation with a Rangers player. There is a wee bit of something that knocks him off balance, and he has to jump. He tried to get his (arm away). You would almost say the natural position is for his arm to go down, because he is jumping.
“But he has to bring them up because he knows that it’s a danger.”
Boyd: “I get the fact that it’s harsh. But as soon as you throw yourself at something – I think, as soon as you throw yourself at it, you run the risk. You have to give Nick Walsh credit for that one, he saw it. He was able to go to the spot straight away. But for me, it’s a penalty kick. I then look, and I know people think it’s a yellow card; those rules changed a few years ago.
“But the persistent fouling from Maeda and Tony Ralston throughout the game, and after, when they had been booked as well, was incredible. How both of them were able to stay on the pitch for a period of time.
“But for me, Aasgaard red card. Trusty red card, and a penalty kick.”
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