Dundee United player gets ban for tackle on Celtic star

Calum Butcher has received a three-match ban for his tackle on David Turnbull during Celtic’s convincing 3-0 victory at Tannadice Park last Sunday. The Englishman midfielder’s tackle thankfully didn’t cause a major injury to the Hoops playmaker, who was particularly impressive in the win.

Celtic’s unbeaten domestic run now stretches to twelve, with their last defeat coming against Livingston back in mid-September and Ange Postecoglou will be delighted his players are hitting top form at this critical juncture of the season.

Butcher, who himself had just returned from a two-match suspension, took down Turnbull just past the hour-mark. As the Celtic star allowed the ball to run through his body, a high-tackle came in from the Dundee United midfielder, catching him with his studs up, at shin height. In real time, match referee Don Robertson deemed it a yellow card offence. However, he was perhaps not afforded the best angle to make judgement in open play.

Perhaps quite surprisingly, even Kris Boyd called out Butcher’s challenge in his post-match analysis. As reported by Football Scotland, the former Rangers man told Sky Sports:

"“It’s a red card all day long. There’s no doubt about it. He’s high, it’s at speed and he’s in endangering the safety of his opponent.”"

Butcher handed ban for tackle on Celtic star

Butcher has opted against contesting the charge, and three former referees were in agreement that a red-card offence had been missed. As reported by Sky Sports, the Dundee United star has been handed a two-game, and will miss a further one having gone over the disciplinary threshold.

The 30-year-old midfielder will now miss three vital games as Dundee United look to stave off considerable pressure from Motherwell in the chase for the European spots.

Most importantly, it looks like Turnbull has exited the episode unscathed, as Celtic registered a convincing 3-0 win against the Dundee United side, partly in thanks to his innovative first-half lob and finish beyond Benjamin Siegrist.

Celtic’s domestic march continues with the visit of Motherwell this Sunday. But before that, they have a Europa League game against Real Betis.