Glasgow pundit slams ‘stupid’ Carl Starfelt as Celtic footage emerges
Alan Hutton has slammed Celtic defender Carl Starfelt’s stupid decision to give away a penalty against Rangers.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Gers defender praised Fashion Sakala’s quick thinking but said Starfelt’s challenge was a “silly decision” from an “experienced defender”.
As shown on Sky Sports (2 January), the Gers were awarded a penalty after Sakala was brought down in the penalty area by the Celtic centre-back.
James Tavernier fired past Joe Hart to put the Light Blues 2-1 up against the Celts.
The game finished 2-2 after a last gasp goal from Kyogo Furuhashi rescued a point for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Hutton insisted referee John Beaton made the right call awarding a spot kick for the challenge.
“I thought it was a penalty,” he told Football Insider correspondent Charlotte Cohen.
“I think it was a stupid decision from Starfelt. Sakala does really well knocking it by [Josip] Juranovic, who I thought really struggled when he came on.
“Sakala did well against Starfelt but just stand your ground, he is going nowhere. He does not have to do anything other than block by standing in front.
“He decides to dive in, stupid decision, and Sakala is quite quick in his thinking. I do think it is a foul but a really silly decision from an experienced defender.“
Celtic remain nine points clear of Rangers after the thrilling draw on Monday (2 January).
The Hoops’ next test is against Kilmarnock on Saturday (7 January).
In other news, a Celtic expert has suggested ‘Scott Brown replacement’ on his way out – ‘they have come to a deal’.