Livingston coach makes huge reveal on controversy from loss vs Celtic: ‘If I’m honest…’
Celtic made it back-to-back wins in the Premiership as they won 4-2 away at Livingston on Saturday.
Hearts had left the door open for the Bhoys after they were beaten 3-2 by Hibernian in the early kick-off, and Wilfried Nancy’s men seized the opportunity to cut the gap at the top of the table to just three points.
Nancy has been under huge pressure at Celtic since his arrival, but he is now beginning to steady the ship a little after a woeful opening four games.
The Glasgow giants eventually eased past the division’s bottom club last weekend, but things could easily have been very different for Livingston.
Marvin Bartley opens up on penalty decision in Livingston vs Celtic
Arne Engels scored Celtic’s fourth goal from the penalty spot shortly before half-time on Saturday, and that strike provided a crucial cushion for the visitors throughout the second period.
However, there was controversy surrounding the award of the Celtic spot-kick, as Livingston defender Daniel Finlayson was penalised for a handball inside the box.
The 24-year-old appeared to have been pushed in the back by Daizen Maeda as he jumped to try and head the ball away from danger, but this was seemingly not picked up by referee Matthew McDermid during his consultation of the pitch-side monitor.
Livingston coach Marvin Bartley has since questioned the award of the penalty, although he also acknowledged that there were others on the hosts’ bench who viewed the incident differently.
“I think Maeda actually pushed Dan (Finlayson) into the ball,” the former Hibs midfielder said on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard.
“The ball hit his arm, but I think he’s impacted by the push in his back. If I’m honest, there were probably a couple of others on the bench who saw it and thought it was a penalty kick.
“It’s definitely one of those that will be seen as a 50/50, but for me, there was definitely enough contact to alter what Dan does, and it ultimately results in a handball.
“It’s a foul. I was disappointed that it was given against us. There will be people shouting at the radio saying ‘If it was at the other end, would you be appealing?’
“Yeah, I would because I appeal for absolutely everything. But I thought it was a harsh one to be honest.”
Ex-PGMOL chief wants rule change after Daniel Finlayson penalty incident
Ex-PGMOL chief and former FIFA referee Keith Hackett exclusively revealed to Football Insider that he feels McDermid “ignored” the contact from Maeda in the penalty incident.
The former official suggested that a foul should have been given in the opposite direction, and he also called for the rule to be changed regarding moments like this.
Hackett was adamant that the wrong call was made by the officiating team, and he was also frustrated that VAR got involved and prompted the man in the middle to go and consult the monitor.
Celtic ultimately benefitted from the decision on this occasion, but Livingston are perhaps justified to bemoan their luck a little at the outcome of the call.