‘I hate it’ – Whelan claims Celtic players ‘taught to go down’ after Edouard confession
Modern footballers are “taught to go down” and Odsonne Edouard cannot be blamed for seeking a penalty for Celtic against Rangers.
That is according to ex-Scottish Premiership striker Noel Whelan, speaking exclusively to Football Insider after interim Celtic boss John Kennedy, quoted in The Scotsman, said: “He is not that type of player. We feel aggrieved we didn’t get a penalty kick.”
Sunday’s Glasgow derby finished 1-1 but Celtic felt they were denied a penalty in the first-half when Edouard went to ground in the area, with Borna Barisic the apparent culprit.
Ex-FIFA and Premier League referee Keith Hackett told Football Insider that he agreed with Willie Collum’s decision to book Edouard for simulation.
Whelan admitted he “hates” the culture of diving but claimed that he sympathises with Edouard nonetheless.
He told Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs: “I’m on the forward’s side. I know he’s simulated and got a yellow card. But these days, that’s what they are taught to do, to go down.
“We know it’s horrible. But nowadays you see young boys doing it on Sunday league pitches and in academies. If you don’t go down, you get a rollocking from the manager.
“So you’re kind of confused as to whether you want to stay on your feet and carry on the move or feel a bit of a knock and go down. It’s always in your mind that when you approach the 18-yard box, that’s what you might have to do.
“I hate it, I didn’t grow up in an era like this. My era was steady feet, if you get knocked down and get a penalty, great. If not, you get up and keep fighting for the ball. But this is the game they are playing.”
Edouard joined Celtic for a club-record £9million fee in June 2018.
The 20-year-old Frenchman has gone on to play 162 times for the Hoops, scoring 81 goals an winning three league titles.
In other news, a former FIFA referee has given his verdict on a potential foul in the build-up to Rangers’ equaliser on Sunday.