One of the more contentious moments of Celtic’s 1-0 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie came in the second half when Dons forward Duk appeared to go to ground in the penalty area under minimal, if any, contact.
With the match still goalless at the time, it was a flashpoint that could have had major ramifications, but it seems to have escaped significant scrutiny in the post-match analysis.
The incident occurred as Duk collected the ball on the edge of the box, displaying quick feet to get past Greg Taylor and drive into the area. With Auston Trusty and Kasper Schmeichel closing in, the forward went to ground, seemingly anticipating contact rather than being fouled.
Referee Don Robertson waved play on, much to the frustration of the home fans but it was the right decision, but the lack of post-match focus on the incident raises eyebrows.
Why the Silence?
Had this been a Celtic player, there’s little doubt the moment would have been dissected at length, with pundits quick to discuss intent and whether the player tried to deceive the referee.
The lack of attention given to Duk’s fall speaks volumes about the differing standards applied when Celtic are involved in controversial moments.
When players from other teams go down easily, these incidents are often brushed aside. Yet, similar actions from a Celtic player would likely dominate the headlines and provoke widespread outrage.
Peter Grant on Celtic TV accused the player of diving earlier in the game to get Alex Valle a yellow card and he was none too impressed with the Aberdeen player’s attempt to win a spot kick.
No Case for a Penalty
It’s clear there was no real case for a penalty. While Duk did well to manoeuvre into a dangerous position, replays suggest no contact was made by either Taylor, Trusty, or Schmeichel. Instead, the forward seemed to be looking for a decision that was never coming.
As Celtic fans celebrate a hard-earned win, questions remain over why moments like Duk’s tumble are swept aside.
