Derek McInnes was not happy with a refereeing decision, after seeing Celtic score four goals against his Kilmarnock team at Rugby Park within the first 30 minutes at the weekend. It looks like the manager believed that the Hoops should have had a man sent off on the day, although it is unlikely that that would have changed anything about the result.
Celtic forward Oh Hyeon-gyu came on as a substitute for the second half with the Hoops already leading 1-4. The South Korean striker would have been keen to make a strong impression as he vies for more minutes. The presence of Jurgen Klinsmann at the match to watch him would have been an added incentive as well.
As Oh sought to make his mark in the match he was vying for a high ball in the middle of the park and was whistled by referee David Dickinson for a high boot. A yellow card was issued and there didn’t seem any complaints from Celtic at the time or afterwards.
After the match, McInnes said that he believed that Oh should have been sent off for his challenge. But clearly, not everybody agrees with the manager’s assessment.
McInnes’ Celtic claim rubbished by former referee
As reported by Glasgow Live, former English Premier League referee, Dermot Gallagher, has run the rule over the incident during a Ref Watch segment and he said while speaking on Sky Sports:
"“I think a yellow card. It is reckless. I think the referee has got it absolutely right.“It is a high boot but he doesn’t know the player is there. He puts his head in and comes into his space, but he shouldn’t have his foot that high. But he doesn’t lead with his studs, he doesn’t go to injure anybody or see the player coming so yellow card for me.”"
The incident took place around the 70th minute mark of the match. Kilmarnock were down by three goals at that point of time. And even if Oh had been sent off, it is hard to imagine that McInnes’ side would have taken anything from the game.
The win saw Celtic move a step closer to their second straight Premiership title. On the other hand, the result left Kilmarnock sitting at 11th in the league table, as they aim to avoid relegation.