Celtic pundit Kevin Graham has slammed referee Willie Collum for ‘blatant cheating’ in the Old Firm derby.
Graham appeared as a guest on the latest episode of the ‘A Celtic State of Mind’ podcast and the panel discussed numerous issues involving the Parkhead-based side. They talked about the Hoops’ 1-1 draw against Rangers in the Old Firm derby recently, but Graham focused on the fact that Celtic didn’t get a penalty for a foul on Odsonne Edouard in the first half. He described it as ‘blatant cheating’ from ref Collum, who apparently wasn’t even looking.
The Hoops had scored the first goal of the tie through Mohamed Elyounoussi, but Alfredo Morelos drew level soon. But Edouard was booked for simulation in the first half, after an apparently challenge on him by Borna Barisic in the box.
Did Celtic deserve a penalty?
Yes
No
Graham talked about this incident and he believes that Collum wasn’t even in the line of sight of the incident and he made a call without even looking at the contact.
He said: (8:53) “I have actually defended Willie Collum at times just saying he’s a poor referee. But yesterday, he didn’t even see it. He was standing behind a Rangers player. He didn’t see, he made a call on what he didn’t see.
“Yesterday, for me it was blatant cheating. It wasn’t even a bad decision, it was blatant cheating. For me, it’s a penalty kick. He didn’t need to make contact. The tackle was rash and uncontrolled. It’s a foul, it’s a penalty kick. Any other league in Europe gives that as a penalty.”
TIF Thoughts on the Edouard decision…
After the game, Martin O’Neill talked about the decision and he made it clear that he sides with Celtic and while Collum had a good game, the Hoops should’ve had a penalty. Kris Boyd though, believes that it wasn’t a spot-kick (as per Glasgow Live).
There seems to be a difference in opinion about the decision but now that the dust has settled, it may not matter too much in the longer term as Rangers have won the Premiership anyway and Celtic are still very much behind them on points. So Celtic should move on and focus on what’s to come.