Celtic fans reacted with fury at Dedryck Boyata’s red card against St Johnstone.
Leigh Griffiths’ 84th minute goal decided the tie but there was one more twist in the tale as the match entered stoppage time.
Boyata is normally a fairly placid character but started shouting at John Beaton who reached for a yellow card, as the defender’s dissent continued the referee switched to a red with Celtic playing the final few minutes with ten men.
John Beaton clearly saying
“I’m gonnae send him aff.”
Doesn’t even give Brown the time to reach Boyata to tell him to wind it in before deciding to give him a red.
Totally unjust. pic.twitter.com/CBnee9KpWX
— Paul Bov ???? (@p_bov1) September 26, 2018
Amateur move by dedryck boyata getting a red card for @CelticFC for mouthing off….he should have just booted someone as thats allowed by @ScottishFA
— Kevin Byrne (@kevinbyrne4) September 26, 2018
So, The referee has asked or said to Brown to calm him down. Brown then turns to talk to Boyata and without a chance for Brown to say anything, he’s branded the red card. I DO NOT condone foul language(directed at a referee) however, he couldn’t wait to get the card out! https://t.co/WqjDNlEjTU
— Craig Connelly (@theweeman77) September 26, 2018
Don’t think I’ve ever seen a straight red for dissent ever. Look at the state of Beaton’s mangled face doing his headmaster come here act. Players swear at refs all the time due to the emotion & heat of the moment & most refs give yellow’s. pic.twitter.com/5zpkidBrbC
— matt mcglone (@MattMcGlone9) September 26, 2018
It has been assumed that Boyata will now miss the semi-final against Hearts but in some cases suspensions in SPFL competitions can be served in the other competition.
Steven Naismith picked up a two match suspension towards the end of last season with one match coming in the Premiership and another in this season’s Betfred Cup.
No other Celtic player will be suspended for the Hearts semi-final, the scheduling of that match means that Celtic’s home match against Motherwell on October 28 will have to be rescheduled.
