Gordon Strachan couldn’t believe what he was watching as referee Alan Muir denied Celtic two clear cut second half penalties at Motherwell today.
A first half goal from Nadir Ciftci took the hoops to the top of the Premiership but it was the performance of Muir that amazed the players, supporters, pundits and television audience.
Six minutes into the second half Scott Brown was cynically chopped down by Kieran Kennedy around the penalty spot- play on said Muir after appearing to point at the penalty spot.
51 Brown goes down in the box after trying to reach Commons’ return pass but the ref waves play on.
— Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) October 17, 2015
Just before the hour mark Kris Commons cut the ball back into the path of Ciftci with Kennedy sticking out his arm to prevent the Celtic player from putting the ball in the net- again Murir waved play on.
59 Commons headers the ball back across from the byline, but a Motherwell defender gets in the way, with Celtic’s handball appeals in vain — Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) October 17, 2015
Both incidents were clear penalties denying goalscoring opportunities.
Muir has had previous problems with penalty incidents, in April at Hampden he failed to spot Josh Meekings punching away a goal bound header from Leigh Griffiths as Celtic were knocked out the Scottish Cup by Inverness Caley Thistle.
Strachan was part of the BT Sport team covering the match and could hardly believe what he witnessed.
“That’s as blatant as it gets,” the Scotland boss said as he laughed through a replay of the Brown incident. “Celtic should have won by more goals today but Motherwell’s doggedness plus Celtic’s inability to convert their chances, plus the officials made it a 1-0 today.
“After those two penalty shouts Motherwell thought ‘this could be our day’. It could have been two or three nothing but they got a bit of life.
“Those type of decisions can cause problems, players can get rash and annoyed. I thought that Celtic composed themselves well after that. Sometimes players can get upset, shouting at the referee. I thought that Scott Brown’s reaction was first class.”
Fellow pundit Stephen Craigan added: “You can’t miss those in games, that could be crucial, that could go for a title or whatever.”
Yet again it’s pathetic honest mistakes from a biased official, could have cost us dear, but we’ll done to RD and the bhoys.
Top of the league, where we belong !
HH
Once again a very biased referee has problems giving Celtic stonewall penalty kicks. Yes he will be toasted in his handshaking lodge tonight. Surly by the amount of penalties he has denied Celtic he will be grand master very soon.!!!
Shocking officials, some might call it cheating.
Never mind penalties Pearson`s first tackle was a red card, none shown then their Centre back should have had red card again none shown that was early in the game.
So Joe you know I love referee`s but in the car shocked when Hugh Keevans, and Derek Johnstone said that referee was shocking ha ha, coundn’t believe it
I thought I’d seen everything but today’s ref surpassed anything I’ve ever witnessed, astonishingly inept. Two blatant pens and countless yellows/reds from Motherwell challenges ignored. Well done Celtic for rising above it.
And people make fun of Gollum, but at least he has given us five penalties — I’ve kept count — in the last season and a half. If Muir had been reffing the Hun, there would have been six penalties given and the whole Motherwell side exiled to Siberia …
Compared to muir tiny Wharton was a Tim
Not good enough
TIme these guys got exposed for what they are -CHEATS
Just like Platinini and the SFA over Sevco admission to the game it is time our board who have no. Balls or us bring this whole corrupt shower down – now is the time
we have to stand up today was shocking. this cannot be allowed to continue
Here we go ten in a row
Now the time for the Celtic Board, to prove their are not mice(but sadly they’ll sit back and keep their Mouths shut)…
Muir had an absolute shocker yesterday. It’s time something was done about the standard of refereeing. [Yes, we *have* all said that before]. Nothing ever improves and there seems to be no accountability.
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2015/10/17/when-alan-muir-dropped-three-points/
CELTIC MUST ACT NOW IF WE DONT GO THROUGH OFFICIAL CHANNELS THESE CHEATING RATS WILL HAVE CARTE BLANCHE TO DO WHATEVER OH SORRY I FORGOT ITS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 1888