Ex-Fifa referee heaps praise on ‘brilliant’ Walsh after analysing under-the-radar Celtic footage
Keith Hackett has heaped praise on Nick Walsh for the subtle advantage he played as James Forrest scored the only goal as Celtic beat St. Johnstone 1-0 in the League Cup semi-final.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted Walsh is operating at a different level to other officials in Scotland and is “elite”.
St Johnstone’s Callum Booth appeared to handle the ball after Jota’s cross and the referee put the whistle to his mouth.
Instead of immediately blowing he waited and allowed Forrest to thump the ball into the back of the net.
“This guy is a very good referee,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“If you look, he’s made up ground, look at his positioning, he’s adjusted his positioning.
“Often referees take some stick. What people should realise is, how brilliant that decision is.
“If he gives a penalty kick, ok, somebody gets a sanction. But he’s used his experience, he’s waited and in that way, Celtic have scored.
“That’s brilliant refereeing, no question and yet another example of an outstanding officiating from Nich Walsh. I think he’s a really, really good referee.
“A top-class referee is like a top-class midfielder. They develop over time and with time comes confidence.
“A referee who is confident and in form makes top-class decisions. What he has done here is, he’s waited. He knows he can wait because he’s built into his decision making that confidence, vision and movement. A skill-set that all referees try and develop, he’s got it.
“It is the next level, it’s about elite refereeing. It’s a great example of a top-quality decision.”
In other news, Dr Dan has revealed the ‘brutal reality’ for Celtic fans after a ‘major’ boardroom development.