‘Contact sport’ - Pundits slam two key decisions during Celtic’s entertaining Old Firm win over Rangers

Pundits Kris Boyd and James McFadden have been discussing the key decisions during Saturday’s Old Firm clash between Celtic and Rangers.

Celtic came out on top at Parkhead, winning 3-2 after an entertaining affair, moving 12 points clear in the process and all-but rubber-stamping the Premiership title. Kyogo Furuhashi scored twice for Celtic, with Jota scoring the third, while James Tavernier netted a brace for Rangers, but there could have been even more goals.

Alfredo Morelos had a goal chalked off for a foul at the back post, while Jota also had one chalked off for an alleged handball in the build-up, but neither decision was correct, according to the Sky Sports pundits.

Speaking about the Morelos goal, Boyd said: “This one, that is a goal. I don’t care what anybody says. Alistair Johnston there, both of them, it’s a contact sport. Johnston realises he is underneath the ball and decides to throw himself down. It’s the slightest of touches. Is it enough to make you fall over the way he did? I’m not sure.

“I think the referee is quick to his whistle rather than letting it play out. It’s a contact sport at the end of the day. We are now in a situation where every time you see a handball in the box it is a penalty kick, and this here, I’m sorry, it’s a goal.”

McFadden then jumped in to discuss the Jota goal, claiming that decision was also wide of the mark.

“That’s the wrong decision, but what I will say, is that you will get the captain and the manager coming out saying the Celtic goal shouldn’t stand. It clearly didn’t hit his hand,” he added. “If that goes against you, you come out and say you haven’t seen the incident back, but there has to be consistency there as well.

“Jota’s is a perfectly fine goal, it doesn’t hit his hand, therefore it should stand, so they need to get the consistency right, but they are right to feel aggrieved about the Morelos one, no doubt.”