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It’s been a long time coming, but a player was finally sent off for endangering a Celtic player yesterday when Kirk Broadfoot saw red for a wild tackle on Scott Brown.

Broadfoot went in high on Brown with his studs showing, and quite rightly received his marching orders.

Referee Bobby Madden finally dished out some protection for Celtic players, who have been on the end of some wild challenges this season.

Darnell Johnson was banned retrospectively for his wild lunge at Emilio Izaguirre. However, with that action coming after the game, it was of no help to Celtic.

Opposition players for too long have been getting away with nasty tackles on Celtic players. Eventually, something had to give and one was finally sent off against Celtic.

Broadfoot’s challenge was high and late. He had lost the battle for the ball with Brown before marking him late.

In fairness, Brown could have seen red himself for a challenge earlier in the game. No one would’ve argued had Madden sent Brown off.

Ironically, the red card played not only a huge part in the game, but Celtic’s winning goal as well.

With Broadfoot dismissed, Killie had to bring on Alex Bruce. And it was the former Wigan defender who deflected Brown’s shot past the keeper.

It looked like Brown’s shot would have flown over the bar, but for Bruce’s intervention.

Bruce clearly handled the ball however, and it would have been interesting to see the referee’s reaction had the ball deflected harmlessly wide.

Had Broadfoot not go in dangerously on Brown, or more to the point, had the referee not sent him off, the game may have been different.

A game changing moment

There’s no doubt the red card changed the game and in Celtic’s favour too. However it may have more ramifications for the opposition as a whole.

Madden sent Broadfoot off because the challenge was eerily similar to the one that he didn’t Allan McGregor off for at Aberdeen.

When the SFA Compliance Officer banned McGregor for two games, it meant Madden had no choice but to send off Broadfoot.

If he didn’t choose to send him off, there’s every chance Broadfoot would be suspended for the next two games anyway.