Dundee vs Celtic: Keith Hackett shares verdict as Colby Donovan concedes controversial penalty
Colby Donovan was correctly punished for handball following a VAR review in Celtic‘s dramatic win over Dundee at Dens Park.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that referee Steven McLean was right to be directed to the pitch-side monitor on Sunday, 5 April.
Benjamin Nygren opened the scoring in the eighth minute, but Simon Murray was given the chance to equalise from the spot just before the hour mark, with the Hoops’ right-back the guilty party.
Despite the equaliser, Kelechi Iheanacho sealed all three points in Celtic’s 2-1 win over Dundee, and while it did not have an overall impact on the result, the handball decision remains a big talking point.
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VISIT THE CELTIC MATCH HUBColby Donovan had nowhere to hide at Dens Park
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the incident, the former referee said: “The arm is extended away from the body of the defender, and it struck the arm.
“VAR was correct to intervene and award a penalty kick for handball. Handballs, of course, are subjective decisions, but the VAR’s intervention was spot-on.
“It allowed the referee to take a clear look at the extended arm away from the body. The outcome? A penalty kick was correctly awarded by the referee. A good piece of officiating.”
| Colby Donovan vs Dundee | Stats [FotMob] |
| Minutes played | 67 |
| Passing accuracy | 85% (33/39) |
| Successful dribbles | 50% (1/2) |
| Tackles | 2 |
| Recoveries | 5 |
| Ground duels won | 50% (3/6) |
It was far from the 19-year-old’s best performances in a Celtic shirt, but luckily for the academy graduate, Martin O’Neill’s side were able to overturn the one-goal deficit away from Celtic Park.
Celtic keep up the chase in the Scottish Premiership title race
Despite a 2-2 draw against Livingston, Hearts keep their place at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, with Rangers just one point behind following their 4-2 win over Dundee United.
The Hoops had been ruled out of the race, but thanks to Iheanacho’s winner, O’Neill’s are in third place, just three points off top spot, with St Mirren up next.
Then, it will be all to play for once the league splits off into two parts, and it’s anyone’s guess who will eventually lift the Scottish Premiership title for the 2025-26 campaign.
Target: Elijah Just (Motherwell)
Long-term: Carter-Vickers out
League Pos: 2nd (61 pts)
Status: Summer Talks Underway
Revenue: £143.6m (2025)