"Once again a player gets a free hit at us"; Tom Boyd left fuming with incident in Celtic match

By John McGinley

October 17, 2021

Much of the chatter in the wake of Celtic’s victory over Motherwell at the weekend has been based around whether the home side should have had a penalty or not.

Certainly that was narrative pushed by Graham Alexander after the game, who complained his side never get decisions against the ‘big boys’.

But there’s a reasonable complaint from a Celtic perspective too – the challenge on David Turnbull that went unpunished by Chris Fordyce.

Bevis Mugabi flew into the Celtic midfielder and looked to have smashed his leg, following through on an attempt to get the ball.

The frustration of many Celtic fans watching on who felt it was a red card was summed up succinctly by former club captain Tom Boyd, who was on co-commentary duties on Celtic TV.

He said when watching replays of the incident in the 54th minute: “That is a red card. It is a red card. It’s horrendous, coming through.

“It’s the follow-through that he’s done. I think he’s got a bit of the ball but he’s come through and followed through and done Turnbull.

“And once again a player gets a free hit at us by referees not doing their duty of care to players that are wearing green and white hoops.”

Scottish referees certainly let a lot fly during matches and there have been a number of poor challenges this season that have gone completely unpunished.

The tackle from Andy Halliday on Callum McGregor at the start of the campaign stands out as a notable example.

Boyd’s argument they should be doing more protect players is a valid one. There should at least be consistency.

When players such as Ryan Porteous are being sent off at Ibrox when barely making contact with an opponent, the tackle on Turnbull has to be treated sternly.

In other news, Motherwell star left impressed by Ange’s Celtic.