Celtic news: Hackett fumes over ‘harsh’ decision as Livingston footage analysed
Celtic should not have been awarded a first-half penalty during their 3-1 win over Livingston.
That’s according to ex-FIFA and Premier League referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider after the Hoops’ first win at the Tony Macaroni Arena since 2007.
Jack Fitzwater was penalised for a handball in the first half of Celtic’s win as Nick Walsh awarded the away side a penalty.
Fitzwater looked to be breaking his fall as the ball cannoned off his outstretched arm.
Callum McGregor missed the resulting spot-kick, hitting the post, though the Hoops took the lead two minutes later and went on to win the game.
In any case, Hackett insists the decision is harsh as Fitzwater didn’t handle the ball on purpose.
“For me, you can’t use the word ‘intention’,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“Did he intentionally make his arm bigger? What you have there is a player falling to the ground and supporting his body.
“I don’t think he’s done that to stop the ball. I think that’s harsh.
“It’s his left arm, he’s supporting his body. I wouldn’t expect a penalty in that scenario.
“It’s a harsh one for me.”
Celtic eventually beat Livingston 3-1 thanks to a Nicky Devlin own goal along with strikes from Maeda and James Forrest.
The Hoops are next in action against Dundee United in the Scottish Cup on Monday (14 March) before return the league action against Ross County the following weekend.
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