Celtic defender Julian Araujo’s tackle on Dundee United’s Will Ferry certainly has put the cat among the pigeons this week.
As Celtic battered Dundee United 4-0, there was one piece of VAR controversy that surrounded the comprehensive Paradise win.
Julian Araujo was close to finding himself in hot water as the Celtic defender went in heavy on Dundee United’s Will Ferry in the early stages of the game.
Match referee Nick Walsh and VAR deemed the challenge a yellow card offence, but that view wasn’t shared by two former SFA referees who slammed the Celtic decision.
Des Roache and Steve Conroy branded Araujo’s tackle as ‘shocking’ and said the Celtic defender should have been ordered off.
However, that is not a view shared by Mark Clattenburg as 67 Hail Hail approached the former FIFA whistler to get his view on the Celtic Park controversy.
Julian Araujo’s Celtic tackle vs Dundee United ‘poorly timed’ and not a red
There has been plenty of debate surrounding Araujo’s challenge with split opinions on social media from Celtic supporters.
So to get an impartial view, Clattenburg gives us his verdict on whether a red card should have been issued to the Celtic stopper.
Clattenburg told 67 Hail Hail, “Celtic’s Julian Araujo tackle on Dundee United’s Will Ferry was certainly a poorly timed challenge.
“The player was correctly cautioned by referee Nick Walsh as it was a reckless challenge. Some would argue that it could have been a red card for serious foul play.
Should Julian Araujo been shown a red card for this tackle? Let us know in the comments.
“But when you look closely at the challenge, Araujo comes in with his leg low and catches his opponent with his shin trying to make a block tackle and I am sure that if he had come in with his studs, the decision would have been different.”
Julian Araujo’s Celtic tackle vs Dundee United – Our view
At first glance, my initial reaction was that Araujo may well have got his marching orders in his first Celtic start.
The tackle was full-blooded and looked high and it appeared a red could have been coming for the Celtic defender.
However, I can also see why a yellow was given as a caution. As Clattenburg says, there were no studs involved and it was just a mistimed challenge.
A yellow card was correct but there may not have been any complaints, at least not from those not connected to Celtic, if a red was brandished.
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