Former FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg’s ‘only question’ about Celtic’s penalty vs Motherwell

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Celtic’s win over Motherwell was hard-fought at Parkhead.

Brendan Rodgers watched his side battle back from 2-1 down to clinch all three points in the dying minutes as Celtic beat Motherwell deep into injury time.

Daizen Maeda’s 94th-minute header lifted a cloud that was gathering over Celtic Park when, in truth, the Bhoys should have built on going 1-0 up just over midway through the first half.

Kelechi Iheanacho netted Celtic’s opener from the penalty spot after Regan Charles-Cook handled Callum McGregor’s long-range effort.

However, after agreeing that the decision by VAR to award the penalty was correct, former FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg admits that after watching the footage, there is one question he would ask about the penalty call.

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Mark Clattenburg questions if Motherwell player was in Celtic’s penalty box

The handball rule has been so subjective this season and as Celtic found out against SC Braga, the rule is very subjective.

So we decided to ask Clattenburg his view on the Celtic penalty and he concluded that VAR was correct despite the footage leaving the award open to question.

Clattenburg exclusively told 67 Hail Hail, “The decision to award a penalty kick is a correct one as the defender jumps to block a Callum McGregor’s shot with an arm that is away from the body and therefore making his body unnaturally bigger.

“The only question for the match officials was the handball inside the penalty area and the replays show the handball was just inside the penalty area.”

Celtic’s next three Scottish Premiership fixtures are pivotal

The international break commences this week and when the Scottish Premiership action returns, Celtic’s next three fixtures are absolutely pivotal.

• Sunday 19th October: Dundee vs Celtic
• Sunday 26th October: Heart of Midlothian vs Celtic
• Wednesday 29th October: Celtic vs Falkirk

Dundee are fighting for their lives after the defeat to Aberdeen leaves them second-bottom of the league.

The Hearts fixture at Tynecastle is self-explanatory and that top-of-the-table clash is followed up with a tough home game against Falkirk who drew with Rangers yesterday.

The month of October will tell Celtic fans one thing. Whether Hearts are credible title challengers or just another flash-in-the-pan like Aberdeen were last season.