Scottish officiating ruins what should’ve been a Celtic victory
Many were thinking a trip to Ross County would mean a repeat of the 4-0 drubbing Celtic put on the Staggies the last time they visited Dingwall. That never materialized and instead Scottish officiating was on full display in a 2-2 draw.
Alex Schalk took an occasion to see a chance at contact to totally dive and have the official buy it, securing a vital point at the bottom of the table thanks to the ensuing made penalty.
Here is the dive in question:
What you can’t see is the official with an unobstructed view of the dive and still giving Ross County the penalty.
"Whatever reason Schalk may offer for going down, Sviatchenko was not even close to making a tackle and it looked like obvious simulation. Schalk simply threw himself to the ground and it is difficult to fathom how the officials managed to miss that and award a penalty."
Thankfully, Celtic had a stroke of genius just a few minutes earlier to ensure at least the point and the continued unbeaten run through the domestic season.
Additionally, at least Ross County manager Jim McIntyre didn’t try to defend the dubious penalty call. He admitted it was incorrect and could sympathize with Celtic’s feelings on the issue.
"“It’s not a penalty,” County boss manager McIntyre conceded.“I’ve watched it back, you can clearly see Sviatchenko go to tackle him, he’s pulled out at the last minute and Alex is expecting contact and is on his way down.“From that side of things, I can fully understand Celtic’s anger or disappointment. But we’ve had several of them go against us this season where teams have had penalties that have not been penalties, and it’s been hard to take, so I understand that.“It doesn’t look good, of course it doesn’t. There’s clearly no contact, but I believe what he’s saying in terms of expecting contact. Some you get, some you don’t.”"
With the Bhoys facing a 1-1 draw at the Staggies, Roberts found space at the top-left edge of the box and made short work of it. He beat his defender one-on-one and proceeded to rifle a low shot that nutmegged another Ross County defender and goalkeeper Scott Fox.
It was 2-1 to the Hoops in the 78th minute and given Celtic’s massive edge in possession all but assured the visitors of all three points once again.
But, shocking officiating turned the final 10-plus minutes in to a complete joke. Not only did the dive cost Celtic full points, but Scott Brown received a red card for a challenge in the dying minutes of the game.
It was a red card that was building thanks to the ref being unable to control countless harsh challenges throughout the match and in particular between Brown and
Celtic will be appealing the straight red card and that will mean he is free to play in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Sevco. With the Easter break, the SFA won’t have time to hear the appeal and rule ahead of the match.
Regardless, this result is wholly on the officiating. The point was a precious one for Ross County, who are now three points clear of the relegation playoff spot and sit seventh in the table.
At least Celtic’s unbeaten streak wasn’t completely done in by the official and we have Roberts’ moment of brilliance to thank for that.
We’ll await the call of “apology” from the SFA and official, but combine this with the crap that went on elsewhere in the Scottish Premiership and one seriously needs to talk reform of Scottish officiating.
It was an absolutely shocking weekend for refs and one that should (but likely won’t) open the eyes of the SFA. We won’t be hold our breath over that change though.