Celtic had to rely on two penalty awards as they navigated past Hibernian yesterday to open up a three-point gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.
Adam Idah was the man charged with slotting both away from 12 yards and duly delivered, helping Brendan Rodgers emerge victorious from Easter Road for the first time in his managerial career.
Nevertheless, there have been complaints from some quarters that neither spot-kick should’ve been granted by Nick Walsh, even in the face of the fact the two incidents looked to be as clear-cut as they come.
Alistair Johnston had to be taken off due to a head knock sustained in an aerial tussle with Nectarios Triantis, resulting in the 25-year-old travelling to hospital for further treatment.
Football is a game of opinions, though that shouldn’t get in the way of the fact that Celtic did what they needed to do in Leith, even if they did ride their luck.
Hibernian manager Nick Montgomery has signalled his belief that the Bhoys shouldn’t have been given either decision. He also adhered to the notion that Alexandro Bernabei impeded Martin Boyle in the box.
Bobby Madden thinks Celtic penalty decisions were correct
Former SPFL referee Bobby Madden will be a familiar face to many Celtic supporters and has weighed in on the latest penalty debate.
The 45-year-old is convinced that Walsh was right to award both decisions against Hibernian despite Montgomery’s complaints.
Madden stated on the first call [Cited via Football Scotland]: “On-field decision penalty. This is a clear penalty. If you play the ball with your foot and a defender careless/recklessly kicks your foot, it’s a foul/penalty.
“Just because it’s your head doesn’t make it any different. Ball played by attacker and late contact so foul/penalty. This would be given in every league in the world, and if not awarded by the referee, VAR would intervene.
He then added on the second decision: “On-field decision play on, VAR recommends on-field review and penalty awarded. Similar to the previous incident, the ball is played by the attacker (it doesn’t matter that he got his shot away), and late, reckless contact comes from the defender.
“With clear evidence, there can’t be any other option than an on-field review and penalty kick.”
People will always form their own opinions on decisions and are perfectly entitled to that; nevertheless, nobody will be able to change what happened at Easter Road, for better or worse.
Celtic fans will be relieved their blushes were saved by Idah’s composure on both occasions, though all focus will now turn to Scottish Cup duty away to St Mirren.
Rodgers is still in the running to bring a domestic double to Parkhead, and it will be intriguing to see if he can see silverware over the line.
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