Celtic manager Neil Lennon might be in trouble for his comments about referee Bobby Madden.
Nir Bitton’s challenge was certainly rash, but there is debate as to whether or not his tackle on Alfredo Morelos was a sending-off.
The Israeli’s intervention was questionable at best, but Madden’s decision to send Bitton off will have pundits debating for weeks.
Speaking to Sky Sports immediately after Celtic’s 1-0 loss to Rangers, Neil Lennon was visibly angry at the standard of officiating, insisting that Morelos would’ve had to have scored a miraculous goal to beat Barkas from the angle where he was fouled.
Celtic boss leaves no doubt with furious comments
Lennon said:
“It’s not a sending off, it’s a foul. It’s not a clear and obvious goal-scoring opportunity. He might get a shot off, but he’s certainly not through on goal.
“[Madden] is too quick to get the red card out. The red card changed the course of the game. We were in total control, dominating the game, dominating play, dominating chances.
“We’ve been undone by a pretty poor refereeing decision. I don’t think he was great all day.
“He’s not clean through, Ajer’s on the cover.
“You can debate it all you want, but in a game of this magnitude, it’s a really rash decision decision from the referee.”
Looking back at the foul, it’s an unfortunate scenario all-round for Bhoys fans. Bitton’s body positioning was all wrong, and there was zero need to pull at the Colombian striker’s waist.
Put it this way; if it’d been at the other end, we’d have shouted for a red card, too.
Neil Lennon clearly believes it was a disproportionate reaction, and its impact on the rest of the season will be telling.
Next up, Celtic will play host to Jack Ross’ Hibs side, who held the Bhoys to a 2-2 draw during the two clubs’ last meeting. That match comes in 9 days’ time, with Celtic heading off to Dubai to recoup in the meantime.
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