Celtic’s late penalty was a fitting end to a nerve-shattering Glasgow Derby at Ibrox.
In a game that Martin O’Neill’s side had to avoid losing, they couldn’t have made a worse start. Two goals from Youssef Chermiti had Rangers potentially out of sight.
But a completely changed performance after the break had Celtic looking like the only team that was going to win the game, by the time Reo Hatate had the ball on the spot.
The spot-kick was awarded after a VAR review on a handball by Dujon Sterling – and despite Ally McCoist’s protestations, ex-Premier League referee Chris Foy has set the record straight.
Ally McCoist’s tears over Celtic’s penalty are brilliant.
What is he talking about??
Chris Foy and Ally McCoist on Celtic vs Rangers call
On talkSPORT on Monday, McCoist firstly said to Foy: “Before we go any further – people think I’m jumping on the bandwagon – Celtic deserved their point.
“Their second-half performance was much better than their first-half performance – but I want to talk specifically about the incident. I think it’s extremely harsh, Chris.”
READ MORE: Celtic fans praise fightback against Rangers but warn of slow start
“I understand why they’ve given it, but his hand, for me, is in a natural position, the forward heads the ball off Sterling’s hand, and he gives a penalty. Is that the correct decision?”
Foy replied: “Yeah, I watched this yesterday and I looked at it about four or five times.
“I wasn’t sure, and when they went for a VAR intervention, I was quite surprised as I couldn’t actually see that the handball [had occurred.
“When I looked at it again, the arm is clearly away from the body there, Ally.”
“I wasn’t surprised when the referee went over to the monitor and turned the decision over and actually give a penalty kick on that one.”
McCoist butted in: “It’s away from the body, Chris, but it’s in a natural position, mate.”
Foy explained: “How are you jumping in that situation, Ally? How are you challenging with your arm away?”
McCoist said: “Because that’s the way footballers [jump]. Footballers put their arms in positions when they’re jumping and moving.
“His arm, and nobody will convince me otherwise, that his arm is in a totally natural position.
“What we’re asking players to do, now, is put their arms in an unnatural position and keep them at their side. You can’t do that.”
You are Martin O’Neill, what is the first change you would make for the cup game against Rangers?
Celtic’s penalty situation after Rangers near miss
Hatate scored at the third opportunity, after having his initial penalty saved by Jack Butland before somehow being denied with his rebound.
Celtic have mixed it up with penalty takers this season. Arne Engels, currently out injured, scored Celtic’s last spot-kick before Sunday, in a 4-2 home win over Utrecht.
However, the Belgian missed one against Roma under Wilfried Nancy. Kelechi Iheanacho scored two earlier in the season, but seems to be out of the picture.
Callum McGregor, Jota and James Forrest have all previously been penalty takers at Celtic.
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