Brendan Rodgers has spoken out for the first time on the penalty controversy that has followed Celtic’s Premier Sports Cup final victory against Rangers last weekend.
While the immediate aftermath of the match left everyone a little exhausted, videos began to circulate surrounding a Liam Scales tug on Vaclav Cerny that was awarded as a free-kick in extra time.
In the days since, Willie Collum has lamented the decision not to award Rangers a spot-kick and has said that it was an ‘unacceptable’ error in line with his and the SFA’s officiating protocols.
Celtic fans have enjoyed lording it over their rivals after winning the Premier Sports Cup, while Rangers have been incensed by the call and the fallout has ensued right up to the brink of this weekend’s Scottish Premiership matches.
Now, Brendan Rodgers has responded to the furore and has made himself loud and clear on what he thinks of the incident.
Brendan Rodgers on cup final penalty controversy
Speaking to Sky Sports, Rodgers has noted that there is always a ‘narrative’ that follows the conclusion of Glasgow Derby matches, but made clear that the ‘bottom line’ for Celtic is they can only control circumstances within their realm of influence.
He stated: “I’ve been involved in 20 games now with Celtic vs Rangers; I always feel there’s a narrative of some sort after the game. Each game, whether it should’ve been a penalty, whether it should have been a red card, should it have not, should it have been a goal.
“Even penalties that are awarded even when it’s offside, so there is always something in the narrative. I can understand why you would maybe look at it; when I look at it. When I see it and when I evaluate it, the images I seen, it was probably giving the foul for the initial foul that was not on the line.
“Of course, it then moves on and goes on to the penalty aspect. But the bottom line is, whatever happens in the game, you have to get on with it and for us, we can only control what we can and that was to go on and win the game. There is always something after a Celtic vs Rangers game.”
Celtic keen to distance themselves from cup final fallout
Only yesterday, Anthony Ralston distanced Celtic from the penalty controversy by indicating that it wasn’t something that has come into the dressing room’s mind too much since their win over Rangers.
Circumstances that the Bhoys have no hold over controlled events that unfolded. In truth, it is hard to know how they are supposed to answer questions on the matter.
As Rodgers said, the bottom line is that his side can only get on with the task in front of them until they are told otherwise.
Nevertheless, don’t expect the fallout to stop any time soon. Despite the SFA’s apologies, you get the impression this could rumble on for some time to come.
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