Former Premier League referee responds to Celtic red card question as incident falls just 'short' of criteria
First half incident against Dundee United sparked a pundit-dividing debate
Celtic defender Colby Donovan’s tackle on Dundee United’s Zac Sapsford fell just ‘short’ of the criteria for a red card, according to a former English Premier League referee.
After the Tangerines scored twice in the space of three minutes to make the scoreline 2-1 at Celtic Park. Within a few minutes of their second, Donovan flew into a challenge on Sapsford and caught the Australian high on his leg - but referee Steven McLean decided a yellow was sufficient punishment. VAR Chris Graham thought the same, as he chose not to intervene.
Former Celtic stars Peter Grant and Scott Allan had different views on the incident. The latter believes the Hoops defender got away with one. In the end, Celtic salvaged a point through a second half Liam Scales header. With Hearts and Rangers also drawing 2-2 at Tynecastle, no ground was lost on their title rivals.
Ex-Premier League ref explains reason Donovan wasn’t sent off
Former PGMOL chief and Premier League whistler Keith Hackett disagrees with the notion that Donovan should’ve been sent off. Speaking to Football Insider, he why the tackle was just ‘short’ of the criteria for VAR to get involved.
He said: "The referee judged this challenge as reckless, hence the yellow card. During the challenge, the offender's body was always in contact with the ground. It is that fact and reason why the player got a yellow and not a red card, albeit his leading leg going into the challenge was high. It's a yellow card, close to a red, but one that falls just short. I'll support the referee on this one."
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Pundits split on Donovan incident
At the weekend, St Johnstone winger Kai Fotheringham saw red after VAR intervention for a similar incident at Ibrox. Speaking on Sportscene, Scott Allan made the case that the officials haven’t been consistent. He said: “For me, it’s very similar to Kai Fotheringham’s for St Johnstone at the weekend, albeit I don’t think he makes the same amount of contract. I think he does nick the calf. I think a lot of Dundee United fans especially will be asking for a bit of consistency but I don’t think he catches him with the same momentum.”
Meanwhile, on the CelticPlayer, Grant was initially worried when he saw the incident in real time, but believes McLean came to the correct conclusion. He said: “His legs went through his legs. When I saw it, I was concerned but the replay shows that he has got a bit of luck. Fair play to the referee, he made the right call.”