Former Scottish official Des Roache has dismissed the notion that Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate should have been sent off against Dundee United yesterday.

The Hoops faltered to a lacklustre goalless draw at Tannadice as they failed to get into their groove.

Brendan Rodgers’ men registered just three shots on target throughout the 90 as the manager was forced into five lineup changes from last weekend’s enthralling Premier Sports Cup final.

There was nowhere near as much drama, contention, and even goals in yesterday afternoon’s clash than the thrilling Hampden showdown, although one moment of dispute has propped up over the past 24 hours.

Indeed, some suggestions have emerged that Hatate could have been given his marching orders for a second-half challenge on a Dundee United player:

The still, as usual, doesn’t look particularly glorifying, although Roache, who refereed across several divisions in Scotland, doesn’t think the midfielder should’ve been sent off: “Looking at the still, it looks a bad one that should have been looked at,” he said (RecordSport).

“But when you watch it, you can see it doesn’t meet the criteria of force, intent or brutality to give a red card, although it was certainly worthy of a yellow.”

Hatate, yet again, wasn’t overly impressive in his performance yesterday.

Mind you, the whole Celtic team were relatively lacklustre and struggled to really set the heather alight.

Things need to improve, and Rodgers will be eying up back-to-back home clashes against Motherwell and St. Johnstone later this week as ideal opportunities to pick up points as the trip to Ibrox looms.