Celtic v Rangers: Ex-Fifa official issues ‘pretty brilliant’ verdict as Nir Bitton banned after controversial footage analysed
Celtic can have no complaints as Nir Bitton is set to miss out on Wednesday’s (2 February) clash with Rangers through suspension.
That is the view of ex-Fifa and Premier League referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Bitton’s red card during Celtic’s 1-0 win over Dundee United on Saturday (29 January).
As shown on the BBC’s Sportscene programme, the midfielder was shown a yellow card in the 64th minute for a professional foul as Dundee United launched a counter-attack.
With less than 10 minutes remaining, he was shown a second yellow for bringing an opponent down on the edge of the Celtic box.
The Hoops players protested the decision as they pointed to a foul on Greg Taylor before the ball broke to the Tangerines.
“This is two yellow cards, it’s straightforward,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“The first yellow card is a gimme, there’s no question on that one.
“On the second one, you can say was there a foul before? The reality of that is, it still doesn’t stop the fact the other guy commits a yellow card offence.
“They might have justifiable claims there was a foul before. That would have been an easy call to make for the referee but he’s not got the viewing angle we’ve got. He’s looking at it from the other way.
“I think it was just a coming together. I don’t think that was a foul, to be honest.
“Play continues and then the player brings his opponent down.
“If the referee doesn’t think it’s a foul and doesn’t give a foul then a yellow card is justifiable. He deserved a yellow and off he went.
“The one thing about Scottish referees is their proximity to play is pretty brilliant.
“For me, it was the correct cause of action by the referee.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has dropped a ‘£150m’ prize money reveal after Uefa news that’s ‘enormous’ for Celtic.