Celtic were deserved 1-0 victors over their Glasgow city rivals Rangers on Sunday afternoon. Kyogo’s first-half strike was enough to secure victory for the Hoops, although that wasn’t the sole major talking point of the game.
Midway through the first half, Kemar Roofe had the ball in the back of the net. Referee Don Robertson eventually adjudged there to be a foul in the build-up, though.
Gustaf Lagerbielke was clearly tripped, but some think otherwise. Many have given their opinions on the debacle, the latest being former Celtic captain Tom Boyd.
He was rather definitive in his stance, believing it was always a free-kick. He said (PLZ Soccer): “If a defender does that to a forward when he’s about to shoot on goal, would it be a penalty? I’m sure it would.”
The line of argument used here by Boyd is most certainly logical. If the shoe was in the other foot and Lagerbielke was having a shot on goal and Dessers tripped him up, a foul would be awarded.
The debate may well continue to rumble on, although the correct decision was made. A free-kick should’ve been given, and it was. The fact many pundits are proceeding to take this stance adds further proof to the pudding.
