Despite seeing their team beat Hearts to progress into the last eight of the Premier Sports Cup Celtic fans were left furious by the performance of referee John Beaton.
Throughout the first half Kyogo Furuhashi was singled out for treatment from the Hearts defence with a number of off the ball collisions that mostly went unpunished.
Celtic enjoyed over 80% possession in the first half but just three free kicks were awarded against Hearts as they tried any means to halt and disrupt superior opponents.
There was one first half booking- Odsonne Edouard for simulation. When a similar situation occurred early in the second half Beaton took no action against Josh Ginnelly.
Celtic fans have long been critical of Beaton, possibly his worst display was at Ibrox in December 2018 when Alfredo Morelos went unpunished despite serious incidents involving Scott Brown, Tony Ralston and Ryan Christie.
With a place on the FIFA list the SFA will always give the Lanarkshire based referee regular Celtic matches, with fans back inside stadiums match officials are under more scrutiny than ever.
Scoreline flatters Hearts thought we should have scored 5/6 horrific refereeing yet again from John Beaton, Tom Rogic was immense today hopefully he continues his form.
— Jack Murray (@JackMurray1888) August 15, 2021
John Beaton shouldn’t be allowed to referee Celtic games. @CelticFC call it out
— Simon (@simondavison11) August 15, 2021
Beaton denied us a very clear penalty today. If that incident was in our penalty box it is a spot kick. If it happened in a match involving The Rangers and they would be the beneficiaries, again it would be given. It wasn’t even a difficult decision. ?
— Barrybhoy (@barrybhoy99) August 15, 2021
@CelticFC When are you going to grow some and speak out on cheating Beaton Referee! Watched Kyogo get kicked from pillar to post,lifted up off his feet and thrown to the ground like a rag doll today right in front of his view yet as usual Beaton ignored it !Time to call him out?
— D Mcguire (@DMcGCfc1888) August 15, 2021
I really canny go that Beaton he gave them everything and gave us hee haw, he might as well just worn a hearts top today because it was plain to see that’s who he wanted to win.
— Andy (@andytimtim) August 15, 2021
That performance from Beaton was an absolute disgrace. At least three times Kyogo was thrown to the ground off the ball. Stone wall penalty for hand ball as well. Ange better call it out.
— Di Leoni ?? (@1967lll) August 15, 2021
Kyogo gets elbowed, Beaton gives Hearts a free kick.
— Bucket Nut (@Clarrknulp) August 15, 2021
Also further demonstration that as long as Scottish football is refereed the way it is, we need to put away teams when we are so far on top.
Should have won by a cricket score today, but we allowed Beaton to keep them in the game.— Wladek Wolanski (@Spartackle) August 15, 2021
Beaton making it up as he goes along
— martin mccluskey (@cluskey75) August 15, 2021
Beaton desperate to give something to hearts
— William Bermingham (@WilliamBermin11) August 15, 2021
