Chris Sutton has been batting Celtic’s corner ever since the final whistle went at Fir Park on Wednesday evening.
It was another monumental evening during this season’s chaotic Premiership title race, with the decision to award Celtic a last-gasp penalty against Motherwell causing chaos across the footballing world.
Everyone has weighed in, but Tim Sherwood’s suggestion that Celtic were awarded a penalty simply because of their ‘huge club’ status certainly didn’t sit well with Chris Sutton.
The Treble-winning Hoops legend played alongside Sherwood during their historic title-winning days at Blackburn Rovers, where Sherwood actually served as his captain.
But that didn’t stop the Celtic legend from calling the former midfielder out.
Sherwood: “Once the referee gets sent to the monitor, there is only one outcome then. I think there is so much pressure on him to give that, with the size of the club we are talking about, Celtic football club, along with Rangers.”
Sutton responds on social media: “The old ‘ref awards penalty because Celtic are a huge club’ one… you’re better than that, Tim…”
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What did Tim Sherwood say about Celtic penalty drama at Motherwell?
It’s a backlash like you have never seen before, but it all means that the title race will now go down to the final day of the campaign.
A win for Martin O’Neill’s side, and they are champions of Scotland again. On top of that, the Hoops will be on for a domestic double with the Scottish Cup final the following week.
But this dark cloud, around this penalty award for handball at Fir Park, will continue to hover above, especially if title number 56 is lifted at the weekend.
Many reasons have been provided as to why on-field referee John Beaton, who was told to check his call via VAR, pointed to the penalty spot.
But Sherwood seemingly felt sorry for Beaton that he had to be sent to his monitor, because he had originally waved play on.
Sherwood told Sky Sports: “I didn’t even think it was worth shouting about. When I saw a replay, and I saw that they were looking at it, I thought possibly for an elbow in the face. He has led with his arm.
“You can see the trajectory of the ball; it’s impossible for it to come off his hand. Unless he punches the ball. It’s come off his head, it’s gone out for a throw on.
“Once the referee gets sent to the monitor, there is only one outcome then. I think there is so much pressure on him to give that, with the size of the club we are talking about, Celtic football club, along with Rangers.
“I think it’s the wrong decision, I really do. I think it was the wrong decision to send the poor referee across there in the first place. Just on the field, he gave the throw on. The game was over; it was the last action of the game. It should have been a positive result for Hearts; unfortunately, it wasn’t.”
Sutton responds on social media: “The old ‘ref awards penalty because Celtic are a huge club’ one… you’re better than that, Tim…”
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