Michael Stewart has shared what saved Celtic defender Colby Donovan from a red card against Hibs.
Young Donovan went in for a challenge with Hibs’ Jordan Obita and the resulting tackle earned the Celtic defender a yellow card.
The decision to book the Celtic youngster was vindicated by ex-FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg as he said the tackle did not ‘meet the criteria’ for dangerous play.
However, Michael Stewart has a differing opinion as the Premier Sports pundit tells Donovan what saved him from getting his marching orders at Easter Road.
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Colby Donovan told what would have made his Hibs challenge a ‘100% red card’
It appears that all the amateur referees from other supporters around the country are about to be disappointed as Stewart admits that the original decision was correct, but with a caveat.
Stewart told The Scottish Football Social Club,”I think if he’s shown a red, I don’t think there’s any doubt, there’s no way VAR are overturning that.
“I think that’s right on the borderline. I’ve got to say, you know what probably saves him is the fact that Jordan Obita’s right foot is just off the ground, and he’s motioning to move so he catches his foot.
‘I don’t think at the time anything other than yellow card.’
“If Jordan Obita’s right leg is planted, and it’s his left leg that’s moving forward, that’s a potential leg breaker, and it would be 100% a red.”
What’s that great Scottish phrase about aunties and uncles?
Michael Stewart shoots down ‘shocker’ verdict on Celtic defender Donovan’s tackle
The online nonsense being spouted about the tackle has been over the top and Stewart has hit back at suggestions that the Celtic challenge was a ‘shocker’.
Stewart continued, “I mean, it’s not a shocker because I think it’s borderline, as I said to you, had he been shown like the red card? I don’t think there’s any way that that was getting overturned.
“It’s forceful. He flies into it. And it could easily have been a red.
“Like, if I was to be put on the on the spot of what I think the right decision is, I think it’s probably just the yellow for the reasons that I just gave.”
Stewart wandered into creating a scenario to suit the narrative. The facts are, the challenge was not malicious, it was not dangerous and it didn’t break anyone’s leg.
Anything else being said is just sensationalist nonsense.
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