Ex-Fifa official issues Celtic injustice claim as controversial Reo Hatate footage emerges
The referee was right not to award Celtic a penalty for Anthony Stewart's challenge on Reo Hatate as they beat Aberdeen 2-0 on Sunday (31 July), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted Stewart fell into Hatate and there was not enough contact for a spot-kick to be awarded.
As shown on Sportscene, the pair went for a loose ball just inside the penalty area and Hatate went down under Stewart's challenge after getting a weak shot away.
Referee Nick Walsh, who was well placed on the edge of the penalty area, waved away Celtic's appeals and the game continued.
"I didn't see this as a penalty kick, to be honest," Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
"It would have been a very harsh call. On that clip that I saw, the referee is, again, well positioned.
"The defender falls into him. He's fallen, from the knee down he's on the deck and can't turn.
"For me, I don't think that's sufficient. I go with the referee.
"Players do fall down, fall over, get pushed and all that goes with it. In my opinion, that doesn't warrant a penalty kick.
"He falls over. I'm going with the referee."
The Hoops were winning 1-0 at the time of the incident before Jota scored a stunning goal to double their lead.
They are now top of the Scottish Premiership and are next in action at the weekend (6 August) when they visit Ross County.