Pat Bonner states what ‘a lot of people’ are saying about awarding of Celtic penalty v Motherwell

Add as preferred source on Google

Celtic returned to winning ways against Motherwell on Boxing Day.

Brendan Rodgers had watched Celtic record a drab goalless draw against Dundee United before Christmas and fail to score for the first time this season.

But Celtic’s 4-0 win over Motherwell at Parkhead signalled a return to form for the champions and it all started after the awarding of a first-half penalty.

At the stroke of half-time, the Bhoys were about to head into the break goalless, with chances being created here and there, but nothing to shout about.

Just like against Dundee United, winger Yang Hyun-Jun was handed a chance to start, with Nicolas Kuhn on the bench and the back-up winger made an impact.

Pat Bonner says Celtic penalty against Motherwell ‘soft’

Motherwell goalkeeper Aston Oxborough was adjudged to have fouled Yang and VAR backed up that call.

Arne Engels stepped up and slotted home to open the scoring for Celtic, but Pat Bonner wasn’t so sure it was a penalty, as he told BBC Radio Scotland.

The legendary goalkeeper claimed that ‘most people’ would feel it was ‘soft’, even though he admitted that Yang got ‘caught’.

“The penalty itself, I have got to say, was probably soft, it would have maybe been the word a lot of people would say,” claimed Bonner.

“But when the ball drops into the box like that, as a goalkeeper, you have got to go and be really, really positive. Don’t allow it to drop down and let somebody come in between you and the ball.

“That’s what kind of happened and he did catch Yang. He was sharp to get in there. We were saying, he probably has to mix up his game a little bit more and make runs beyond that defensive line, rather than sitting out wide and getting the ball. At that time, he did come inside and he did make a little run to try and get on the end of a loose ball that was dropping down. He was caught.”

Celtic’s stats against Motherwell

As soon as Engels fired in from the spot kick, it was plain sailing for Celtic as they enjoyed themselves in the second half and helped themselves to three goals.

Daizen Maeda scored again for Celtic, whilst Kuhn and Reo Hatate came off the bench to showcase the might and quality Rodgers was able to bring onto the pitch.

All in all, it was a comfortable afternoon, both offensively and defensively, as the stats showed.