‘It was a red card, no question’ – Rangers expert delivers verdict on ‘crazy’ Celtic controversy
Rangers defender Leon Balogun deserved the red card for his challenge on Daizen Maeda in the Old Firm clash on Saturday (30 December).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Gers and Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton praised Maeda for causing the centre-back more problems after he accidentally lost possession to the oncoming Kyogo Furuhashi.
Balogun was given his marching orders in the 71st minute after he pulled Maeda down when he was one-on-one with Jack Butland, but James Tavernier’s exceptional free kick was not enough as Celtic went on to win 2-1.
Celtic’s high press worked wonders and successfully caught Balogun out, who was suspended for Rangers’ 3-1 win against Kilmarnock on Tuesday (2 January).
Hutton suggested that the 35-year-old was caught in two minds at that moment, but admitted referee Nick Walsh made the correct decision.
“It was a red card, there’s no getting away from that,” he told Football Insider.
“I think Maeda does really well to get the wrong side of him. As a defender, he’s caught between a rock and a hard place.
“Do you bring him down? Do you allow him to run?
“With Balogun’s pace, he’s not getting back. Do you run the risk of allowing Butland to get a save?
“But as a football player, you don’t think that way.
“You make the mistake and then you try and correct it immediately.
“It’s a crazy situation but it’s certainly a straight red card, you can’t question it.”
In other news, ‘Never again’, ‘Not good enough’ – Rangers fans react to Cyriel Dessers display in 3-1 win over Kilmarnock.