Celtic’s 2-1 win over Dundee was a game defined by moments.
A lifeless Celtic performance was seemingly set to be punished when the match reached its final stages, but the very last kick of normal time changed everything.
Junior Adamu’s debut goal denied the visitors a dream upset win, and Sebastian Tounekti’s extra-time marked a transformed performance after the first final whistle.
But things could’ve been different if another moment went differently with one referee decision involving Tomas Cvancara.
For TV panellists Charlie Mulgrew and ex-Dundee boss Tony Docherty, the Hoops should’ve had a penalty.
How on earth do you begin to describe that…!
Celtic should’ve had ‘clear penalty’ against Dundee
Dundee’s Luke Graham was penalised for a push on Cvancara in the first-half, but there was immediate concern that it might’ve been inside the box.
However, the incident was reviewed by VAR, which concluded that the on-field decision was correct.
READ MORE: Martin O’Neill talks ‘disunited’ Celtic and ‘game-changer’ Sebastian Tounekti after Dundee win
This baffled the punditry pair, who criticised VAR for brushing over the incident so quickly.
Mulgrew firstly said: “For me, this is a penalty. I know the contact potentially starts outside the box, but the ruling is: if you continue into the box!
“And there is a push – definitely on the line, you could argue it was inside – if it’s on the line, it’s a penalty for me.
“I don’t know why that’s not been looked into by the referee.”
Docherty then added: “I think there’s an argument there that it should be a penalty kick.
“I remember a similar incident with [Claudio] Braga against Dundee United for Hearts. The initial context starts outside the box, but where he is, I’m sure it’s a penalty.
“It was very quick, the decision made on it. So I think Dundee have maybe got away with one there.”
Mulgrew finally added: “I don’t know how they (VAR) have come to that conclusion, because you can see that there’s clear contact inside the box.”
“Obviously starts outside, continues inside. Clear penalty for me.”
Should Celtic have been awarded a penalty against Dundee?
VAR criteria for Celtic’s incident vs Dundee
VAR gave a statement on the incident, confirming the referee’s decision as ‘correct’.
They claimed that the incident was deemed as being outside the penalty area because the pushing began outside the area and continued inside.
It said that pushing can only be punished at the initial point of contact, whereas a penalty would’ve been given if holding had taken place inside the box.
Me neither…
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