John Beaton’s erratic interpretation of the football rules was highlighted last night during Celtic’s 1-0 win over St Johnstone in the Betfred Cup.
Last week the Celtic by Numbers website provided some detailed analysis which suggested that Brendan Rodgers’ side have much more fouls against them than is statistically likely.
Beaton’s actions as he sent off Dedryck Boyata suggested an official losing his cool whatever the rights and wrongs of the defenders’ language.
Using statistics compiled by the BBC Celtic were more than TWICE as likely to have a foul awarded against them as the Perth side!
According to the BBC website St Johnstone had 37% of possession and committed three fouls with Celtic enjoying 63% of the ball and committing 14 fouls.
It can be assumed that teams only foul when their opponents have possession.
On that basis and making the assumption that there was 70 minutes playing time Celtic committed a foul every 3.15 minutes that St Johnstone were in possession.
In contrast Tommy Wright’s side fouled a Celtic player every 8.67 minutes that the hoops were in possession.
In Beaton’s only other Celtic match this season he took no action against Steven Naismith for twice kicking out at the grounded Jonny Hayes.
As the fourth official in the Glasgow derby Steven Gerrard claimed that Beaton shouted ‘foul, foul, foul’ when Ryan Jack fell to the ground challenging Tom Rogic.
