Ex-Fifa official: Callum McGregor should be banned as controversial Celtic-Rangers footage analysed
Callum McGregor should have been sent off as Celtic lost 2-1 to Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final yesterday (17 April), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted Bobby Madden delivered a “balanced” performance despite some major criticism he has received.
As shown on the BBC’s Sportscene programme, after just eight minutes McGregor, 28, avoided a booking for a crunching tackle on Joe Aribo.
He was then cautioned five minutes before the interval for a tactical foul as Madden came back after initially playing an advantage.
A second yellow would have seen the Celtic skipper banned for his side’s trip to Ross County on Sunday (24 April).
Asked for his verdict on the first foul, Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “In fairness, that was a yellow card offence.
“It’s just balance. Fans are fans, they’ve all got a view and are their view of the referee’s performance is influenced by the outcome of the game and the result.
“My default position is that this kid, Willie Collum and one or two others are good referees who can deliver these games and that’s what they’ve done.
“In fairness, both referees were in control from start to finish and that’s a credit to them.”
Celtic hero Chris Sutton tweeted yesterday that Madden’s performance was one of the worst refereeing displays he had seen in Scotland for a “long time”.
The 43-year-old dished out seven yellow cards at Hampden Park, five of which to Rangers.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has labelled Dermot Desmond as a ‘dictator’ as Celtic takeover stance is revealed.