Almost un-noticed during Saturday’s match against Partick Thistle Tomas Cerny got off scot-free with an incredible assault on Moussa Dembele.
In clear view of Steven McLean the Thistle keeper collected the ball in his six yard box and for extra security aimed a kick at the striker’s chest.
According to the Laws of the Game Cerny should have been red carded with Celtic awarded a penalty.
For whatever reason, perhaps applying ‘common sense’ in his own mind McLean shrugged his shoulders and waved play on.
Thistle goalkeeper Tomas Cerny practices his kung-fu before taking it out on @MDembele_10 second half. pic.twitter.com/9P0j36GLm4
— Craig Foy (@CraigFoySNSPix) February 10, 2018
In this instance Celtic were good enough to overcome an official unwilling to apply the laws of the game. If Thistle had scored a goal or two more McLean would have been in the spotlight.
Back in 2015 he took a similar approach when Celtic were playing Inverness Caley Thistle.
With Celtic already a goal up McLean watched Josh Meekings punch clear a net bound header from Leigh Griffiths.
The Highland side took heart from that decision, realised that it was their day and won 3-2 in extra-time.
It seems that McLean struggles to apply the laws of the game, a long spell taking charge of matches in the lower divisions might help his understanding of the Rules.