Earlier this evening, Paulo Bernardo believed he had put Celtic up against Aberdeen as his corner flew into the net.
However, referee Don Robertson ruled out the first-half “opener” for a foul inside the area by blowing his whistle early.
Goalie Ross Doohan tried to punch the ball after Daizen Maeda made inappropriate contact with him, but the ball slid into the corner.
However, whistler Robertson had already signalled a foul by this point, and the goal was chalked off without protest.
Neil Lennon offered his opinion on the matter while commentating on Sky Sports, saying that the referee’s decision to disallow the Celtic opener was the correct one.
He also criticised Maeda for the challenge on Doohan, which the Northern Irishman says the winger did not need to make, and used the rules of the game to support his argument that the decision was correct.
When asked if it was the proper call and if Robertson blew “rightly or wrongly” by broadcaster Eilidh Barbour, Lennon responded, “Rightly and the referee blew early, before the ball went in the net.”
Referee Don Robertson was correct to rule out Celtic’s goal, according to Neil Lennon.
Referee Don Robertson was correct to rule out Celtic’s goal, according to Neil Lennon.
“When you hear the whistle blow, it’s already gone, and the referee decided early.”
After giving it some more thought, I concur with Chris Sutton regarding commentary: Maeda doesn’t need to approach the goalie to make contact.
“Whether we old yins think it’s soft or not, he simply needs to stand his ground. They’re usually given as a free-kick against the custodian.” It’s the game’s rules.
In agreement with Lennon, Chris Sutton claimed that goalkeepers are “overprotected.”
“Maeda doesn’t have to push back against him. Simply maintain his position and make an effort to distract the goalie.
Despite being called into action for the infraction, VAR authorities quickly concluded that Robertson was right to sound the on-field whistle.
While Chris Sutton, Lennon’s teammate, agreed that it was the proper choice, he maintained that goalies are still overprotected.
“I think Maeda interferes and he doesn’t need to,” he stated on communications. That isn’t very much, and I believe the goalkeeping is poor. That is not why he wants to come.
“I’ll tell you what, goalkeepers are overprotected, even though Don Robertson has already given a free kick and claims he’s seen enough fouls.”
Reo Hatate’s left-footed shot on minute 78 would be the game-winning goal for the Celts.
It finally arrived after Doohan made some deft stops to keep Celtic’s forwards out.
