There have been many fiery moments in the Glasgow derby over the years, and one moment that lives long in the memory is Jozo Simunovic’s crunching tackle on Kenny Miller.
You have to go back to 2017 to the moment where Simunovic went in to retrieve the ball from Miller by giving it everything he got.
The Ibrox crowd were of course up in arms over the decision, whereas those Celtic fans packed into the away end celebrated it like the defender had scored. Simunovic wasn’t shown a yellow or red card but as this was pre-VAR days, that could all change now.
67 Hail Hail spoke to Mark Clattenburg, who gave an insight into what the decision would look like in the era of technology.
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Mark Clattenburg would’ve cautioned Jozo Simunovic’s tackle
Clattenburg officiated at the highest level, covering World Cup finals and big Champions League nights.
He was never a referee in any Glasgow derby, but had he been the official on the day, he admitted that he would have given the Croatian a yellow card.
He told 67 Hail Hail: “The tackle from Jozo Simunovic on Kenny Miller in the old firm match was a one in today’s modern football would be punished more than the referee did on this occasion.
“This type of tackle would have been applauded years ago as a good tackle but this tackle certainly had some speed and recklessness in its nature. I would have awarded a free kick and a yellow card if refereeing this type of tackle now.
“I am sure VAR would look at it but I would hope that it would not lead to a review as the tackle did not reach the criteria of the red card as there was no malice used and his studs were low.”
What has Jozo Simunovic said about the famous tackle?
Many years have passed by and since then, Simunovic has retired from football altogether.
While he may have won trophies during his time at Celtic Park, the centre-back said it was the best tackle of his career.
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During an Instagram Q and A in 2020, he said: “When I heard the noise from our fans it felt like we had scored a goal.”
Across his five years at the club, between 2015-2020, Simunovic played over 100 times for the Bhoys and won five Scottish Premiership titles, three Scottish Cups and three Scottish League Cups.
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