Ex-PGMOL chief blasts officials after analysing ‘unacceptable’ Celtic vs Aberdeen footage

Toyosi Olusanya should have been sent off in Celtic’s 2-1 victory over Aberdeen on Sunday.

This is according to former referee Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Dons star was fortunate to escape a red card for his challenge on Kieran Tierney.

While Martin O’Neill’s side did go on to win the game regardless, it was a tense showing at Pittodrie Stadium.

 A dismissal could have allowed the manager to rest multiple stars for Sunday’s Old Firm derby, which would have massively helped Celtic’s match preparation.

Keith Hackett: Toyosi Olusanya should have been sent off vs Celtic

During the match, Olusanya made a terrible challenge on Tierney.

The Aberdeen player appeared to have stood on the Celtic star’s ankle when battling for the ball.

Tierney was later forced off the field, and despite the severity of the challenge, Olusanya was allowed to remain on the field.

When reviewing the footage, Hackett exclusively told Football Insider that the Dons star should have been sent off for “endangering” his opponent.

He said: “This is a foul challenge that has clearly escaped the VAR operator.

“The player in red clearly rakes the sole of his boot (studs) down the lower leg of his opponent.

“It is an act of Serious Foul Play for which he should, without any doubt, have received a red card.

“It is frankly unacceptable; there is malice in the challenge along with force, and the safety of his opponent is endangered.

“These challenges must be outlawed by officials.

“The technical equipment is available to VAR to review and advise the referee to go to the monitor.”

Officials put in another controversial display in Celtic match

Previously, Hackett told Football Insider that Celtic should have had a penalty during their Aberdeen win, meaning two contentious decisions went against them on Wednesday.

While many will believe these decisions did not matter in the end due to O’Neill’s side winning, they could have a massive impact on the title race.

If Aberdeen had picked up a red card and conceded a penalty, it could have allowed the Hoops to score even more goals and massively increase their goal difference.

With the Scottish Premiership title race set to go to the wire, goal difference could well prove to be the decider, with Celtic currently lacking behind Heart of Midlothian, Rangers and Motherwell in this department.

However, it remains to be seen if this has any effect on the Hoops’ final league finish.