Former referee discusses Rangers vs Celtic decision hosts can be 'upset' about as colour of card assessed

Former SPFL referee Bobby Madden believes Rangers can feel ‘upset’ they weren’t awarded a free kick when Celtic midfielder Mika Baur caught Ryan Naderi high on his shin - but isn’t convinced he should’ve seen red.

As the Germans collided during a 50/50 challenge in Sunday’s Old Firm derby at Ibrox, referee Nick Walsh awarded Celtic the free kick. However replays showed it was actually Naderi who won the ball the first as Baur then caught him high on his leg in the follow through. The decision sparked outrage among Rangers players and fans - as well as Naderi - who was substituted shortly after.

The Ref’s View, operated by former whistlers Steve Conroy and Des Roache have subsequently described Baur’s tackle as ‘late and reckless’ while claiming he was lucky not to see red. Madden doesn’t subscribe to the same view due to a lack of intensity and malice, as he reckons a yellow for Baur would’ve sufficed. Speaking on his 'So Near, Yet So VAR' podcast, he explained his reasoning.

What are Madden’s thoughts on the Baur/Naderi incident?

He said: “The first thing to be upset about is that the free-kick went to Celtic. Then, I think you can see that Naderi loses his balance, slips a little, the ball goes behind his leg and then Baur comes in and makes the challenge. You are saying, yes, we have seen red card challenges for contact that high up the leg, but we always need to consider the criteria for serious foul play - speed, intensity, force, malice and endangering the safety of an opponent.

"If you look at this incident in it's entirety, it doesn't endanger an opponent, there is no malice, yes the contact is on the shin - but it's not a red card offence. I believe it's a yellow card for reckless, and showing a disregard for the opponent, and the free kick obviously should have gone to Rangers. But it's not a red card offence."

Clattenburg on Old Firm incident

Former English Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg agrees with Madden that a free kick should’ve been awarded to Rangers but no red was the right call. He told GRV Media: “This was a poor judgment to award Celtic a free kick when the foul was actually committed by Mika Baur.

“His challenge on Rangers’ Ryan Naderi was late and reckless, which lacked some degree of speed, force and malice needed to meet the criteria for a red card. Slow motion can always look worse when looking at tackles, but I believe the referee got this challenge wrong, and a minimum of a yellow card should have been shown to Baur.”

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