A lot of Celtic fans have flocked to Twitter to share their frustration over referee Bobby Madden’s decision to send off Nir Bitton in the Hoops’ 1-0 Premiership loss to bitter rivals Rangers on Saturday afternoon.
Bitton started alongside Kristoffer Ajer at centre-back for the Hoops in this Old Firm clash, stepping into the Hoops’ backline in place of the injured Christopher Jullien.
Per GlasgowLive, the 29-year-old, who is a natural defensive midfielder, managed to deliver a ‘solid’ performance in the first half of Saturday’s game but after he was sent off for producing a ‘moment of madness’ when he hauled down Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos in the 62nd minute, he was handed a dismal match rating of just 3/10 from GlasgowLive, who described Madden’s decision to send off Bitton as one which ‘turned the game on its head.’
Rangers got their only goal of the game eight minutes after Bitton was sent off via a Callum McGregor own goal and the game then finished 1-0 to the Gers, despite Celtic having ‘bossed the first half’ of the contest.
So, what have these Rangers fans been saying about Madden’s red card call?
Many Hoops supporters have been directing fierce criticism at Madden on Twitter, with some suggesting that he was one of Rangers’ key performers in this game.
“Bobby Madden being Bobby Madden. Yes, it was a daft challenge by Bitton but Morelos wouldn’t have got to the through ball on a motorbike. Terrible decision”
“Not really one for all the conspiracy stuff but Bobby Madden has been absolutely choking to make the game about him all day”
“Bobby Madden must have been looking at that sending off from his seat at Ibrox. Seen an opportunity to change the game and took it. Never a red!”
“Hope Bobby Madden has a terrible 2021”
“bobby madden should never be allowed to referee again, disrgraceful.. red for Bitton when it should have been yellow, lets Morelos off with a stamp on Frimpong…Shocking”
“Never a red ajer covering Bobby madden couldn’t wait to give the red”
“I am only a football fan and I can see that Bitton is rash, has no composure and cannot be trusted. He has let Celtic down today. Madden was awful but that gave him the opportunity to send off a Celtic player.”
Should Bitton have been sent off?
YES
NO
“Tough call for Sevco man of the match, Alan mcgregor, or Bobby Madden, both where outstanding.”
“Bobby Madden was one of their best performers today. He took his opportunity when it came up and generally won all the 50/50 decisions”
“Bobby Madden should be demoted”
All in all, it’s clear that the referee’s decision to send off Bitton has been met with plenty of vitriol from members of the Parkhead faithful, which may not come as a huge surprise given that Celtic now trail the league leaders by as many as 19 points, though they do have three games in hand.