Hibs boss David Gray makes a mockery of online hysteria over Celtic’s Colby Donovan tackle

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Colby Donovan’s performance in Celtic’s win at Hibs has been overshadowed by the fallout over his tackle on Jordan Obita.

Young Donovan had a fine game as he helped Celtic control Hibs in the first 45 minutes before he was subbed off at half-time.

However, Donovan was at the centre of some strange online storm with Rangers, Hibs and Hearts fans who all believe that the Hoops right-back should have been sent off for the tackle on Jordan Obita.

The tears from Celtic’s rivals are very strange indeed considering Hibs boss David Gray’s measured response when he was asked for his post-match thoughts on the incident.

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David Gray’s calm verdict on Celtic Colby Donovan’s yellow card clamps Hibs fans’ online frenzy

The online hysteria witnessed on social media since this incident really has been something else. However if the tackle by the Celtic defender really was that bad, David Gray would be fuming, right?

Well, he’s not.

Gray told PLZ Soccer, “I’ve not seen it back to be honest, so I don’t really want to comment on that. I never thought about it.

“Now you’re saying it, I don’t think at the time anything other than yellow card.

“I thought it was a yellow for where it was, but I’ve not seen it back. So I don’t really think it’s right to comment on that.”

Ex-Premier League referee sums up Celtic defender Colby Donovan’s yellow card perfectly

There are many, many fans of other clubs, including Celtic, who simply do not trust VAR or the officials’ capability of using the technology correctly.

However, it appears that the SFA-appointed officials got this completely correct as former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg points out.

Clattenburg exclusively told 67 Hail Hail, “Celtic’s Colby Donovan is booked for a tackle on Jordan Obita.

“The referee made the correct decision with a yellow card as this was a late and reckless challenge which also stopped a promising attack.

“To meet the criteria of a red card, there needs to be brutality, force and malice and this tackle certainly does not meet that criteria.”