Former Category 1 SFA referee’s remarkable verdict on Matt O’Riley and Celtic’s penalty vs Rangers

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There have been loads of talking points from Celtic’s win over Rangers that have hit the headlines over the last 72 hours.

The one that has really grabbed the attention though is Kenny Miller and Graeme Souness’ comments about John Lundstram’s red card at Parkhead.

I’ll get to Miller’s comments later but I’m sure you are all well aware of them. However, even Souness’ suggestion that Alistair Johnston was somehow partly at fault was a completely bizarre stance.

But there was one other decision that caused slight debate. Well, when I say slight I mean many pundits agreed that Willie Collum got it correct. Matt O’Riley‘s penalty award.

Matt O’Riley ‘bought’ Celtic’s penalty

Yes, you read that correctly. According to former Category 1 SFA referee, Steve Conroy, the Celtic midfielder was looking for the penalty after Mohamed Diomande clearly tripped him in the box.

Conroy said [Behind the Whistles], “It’s very soft. I think Matt O’Riley knew what he was doing. If the penalty is given, I can accept it. For me, personally, it’s not a penalty.

“In my opinion, he is initiating contact with Diomande. Diomande’s came into the box and you can actually see Diomande try to put the brakes on and not get involved.

“But when you see the foot go behind Diomande rather than going forward to me he’s bought the penalty. And to me that then is a wrong call by Willie Collum.

“I think Steven McLean was entirely right to get him across to have a look at it. We all know Willie, he’s a very forthright referee.

“He’s taking his own opinion, which he is entitled to do so.

“But for me, no, I don’t think that’s a penalty kick.”

What makes this comment even more remarkable is that the VAR footage shows clearly that there was contact in the box and that even after a second look, Collum stuck by his original decision.

And how O’Riley could look to buy a penalty from a challenge that he couldn’t see coming is also quite astounding. I mean, I know O’Riley has incredible vision but even he can’t see what’s happening behind him.

In the bigger picture, the penalty never really mattered. However, what these comments show is that there is still an issue with how the laws of the game are interpreted if an experienced former referee can’t see a clear penalty from the Diomande challenge.