Mark Clattenburg has told 67 Hail Hail if he thinks that the correct decision was made to allow Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal against Dundee.
Iheanacho scored the winner after turning and shooting from close range in the 82nd minute to earn the Bhoys a vital three points.
Some corners of social media have suggested that the Nigerian fouled Ryan Astley in the build-up by pushing him and, after reviewing the footage, Clattenburg has had his say.
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Mark Clattenburg says decision to award Kelechi Iheanacho goal was correct
Former Premier League and FIFA referee Clattenburg acknowledged the complaints from opposition fans about the push but felt that there wasn’t enough in it and that referee Steven McLean made the right call.
He told 67 Hail Hail: “Some would argue that Celtic’s second goal against Dundee should not have stood for a push by Kelechi Iheanacho on Ryan Astley. There was a contact and the referee has to decide if the contact was sufficient to award a foul.
“The reaction of the defender after the contact was that he was not expecting a foul and did not make an appeal.
“I would not have awarded this as football is a contact sport.”
How many points have Celtic won from VAR calls this season
VAR hasn’t come to the rescue as often as people would have imagined when it comes to the points Celtic have accumulated this season.
Iheanacho’s penalty-winning debut against Kilmarnock saw the Hoops leave with all three points from Rugby Park after VAR awarded a stoppage time penalty.
The only other incident was when Benjamin Nygren’s strike against Aberdeen in March 2026 was allowed after VAR initially checked to see if the club’s top scorer was onside or offside.
Had neither of those been awarded, Martin O’Neill’s side would be four points worse off and almost certainly out of the title race.
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