Mark Clattenburg’s verdict on Celtic vs Rangers Arne Engels elbow flashpoint

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The Celtic Park Glasgow Derby against Rangers wasn’t without its controversies.

Celtic should have had the game out of sight in the first 45 minutes as Wilfried Nancy’s side failed to convert a hatful of chances against the Ibrox club.

Celtic took the lead through a superb solo effort from Hyunjun Yang, but a quick-fire double from Yosouf Chermiti and a goal from Mikey Moore sealed the win for Danny Rohl’s team.

However, there was a potential red card flashpoint where Rangers’ Emmanuel Fernandez elbowed Celtic midfielder Arne Engels in the fourth minute.

So we asked former FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg for his opinion after the Rangers defender escaped any form of punishment after the challenge on the Celtic player.

• READ MORE: How Celtic announced their starting XI vs Rangers shows exactly where the board’s heads are at

Mark Clattenburg slams match officials for missing elbow on Celtic’s Arne Engels

VAR checked the incident and felt that not only did the elbow not warrant a red card, Fernandez escaped any kind of punishment and that is why Clattenburg says

Clattenburg exclusively told 67 Hail Hail, “Rangers Emmanuel Fernandez catches Celtic’s Arne Engels in the face with his elbow.

“Referees look for the difference of using his arm as a tool or weapon when Fernandez is fighting for the ball with the difference being a clenched fist which creates power and malice and an open hand which lacks either.

“When I look at this loose elbow, the open hand is present so lacks malice and force needed to reach the criteria of a red card.

“A yellow card should have been issued and was missed by the match officials.”

Celtic’s next Scottish Premiership fixture after Rangers game

Now that the Glasgow Derby is out of the way, Celtic have important fixtures in the Scottish Premiership to prepare for in January.

Dundee United are up next at Celtic Park where Wilfried Nancy will be looking to exact revenge for the Tannadice defeat last month.

After that, a trip to Falkirk to face John McGlynn’s side will provide a stiff test on the 14th.

Then it’s the big one, Celtic will face Hearts at Tynecastle on the 25th of January where the top of the table clash will create further drama in a season where the Bhoys’ standards have fallen off a cliff.