Ex-Premier League referee rubbishes ex-Rangers star's 'stonewall' Celtic penalty claim
Steven Naismith is talking rubbish - Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers' challenge on Sunday was not worthy of a penalty.
So says ex-PGMOL boss Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider after Celtic's 1-1 draw with Dundee United on 26 September.
The score was 1-1 in the first half when Carter-Vickers collided with Nicky Clarke as he raced through on goal.
Referee Kevin Clancy did not deem the incident to be a foul and the game continued amid protests from United players.
Speaking on BBC's Sportscene later that evening, pundit and ex-Rangers star Naismith labelled the coming-together a "stonewall" spot-kick.
But Hackett sided with Clancy and saluted the standard of refereeing in the Scottish Premiership in recent years.
"No, that's not a penalty, not in my book," he told Football Insider's Connor Whitely.
"I think that, if you look at their legs, he is already going down early. It's definitely not a stonewaller, in any case.
"I think the referee has got it 100 per cent spot-on. I've been really impressed with the standard of refereeing in Scotland in recent times.
"I'd like to see some Scottish referees in the Premier League. I'm seeing some really good decisions being made."
Ange Postecoglou's side's disappointing draw at Celtic Park on Sunday leaves them 6th in the Scottish Premiership standings.
They have won just one of their last four matches in all competitions ahead of the Europa Leauge clash with Bayer Leverkusen on 30 September,