Former FIFA referee Dermot Gallagher has given his verdict on the key penalty incident during Celtic’s 3-1 victory over Hibernian at Celtic Park, admitting the decision was “so close” but ultimately agreeing with the referee’s call.
The flashpoint came in the first half when Celtic trailed 1-0, and Chris Cadden appeared to handle the ball inside the box. Celtic players appealed strongly, and the decision sparked plenty of post-match debate, with many feeling the Hoops had been denied a spot-kick.
Gallagher acknowledged that while there was contact between the ball and Cadden’s arm, the defender’s movement was deemed natural and within the laws of the game. That ultimately spared Hibs from conceding a penalty at a crucial point in the match.
However, Gallagher, speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, defended the officials’ judgement on the day.
“I think this is so close, he brings his arm down, it does strike him but he brings his arm down as you would expect the defender to do towards his body.”
The incident did not prove decisive in the end, as Celtic fought back through goals from Nicolas Kuhn, Adam Idah, and Reo Hatate to extend their unbeaten home run against Hibs to 22 matches. However, it was a moment that could have changed the flow of the game had the decision gone differently.
While Celtic went on to win comfortably, Brendan Rodgers has previously voiced frustration over inconsistencies in big-game officiating this season. On this occasion, though, the referee and VAR did get it right.
