It was an incident that changed the course of the match.
With Celtic leading 1-0 Aberdeen were under pressure on the back of losing to Motherwell and Dundee United in successive weeks.
In the 33rd minute a corner was fired into the Celtic penalty area, landing at the feet of David Bates, not the most nimble of players on the deck.
As the Dons defender headed across the penalty box Liel Abada realised what could happen and pulled his left foot back, placing it on the ground.
Disgrace of a decision. Never a penalty. Bates should’ve been booked for diving
Clancy yards from it anaw. Outrageous. pic.twitter.com/whre85Voso— Ronnie Postecoglou (@RonnieJM67) November 28, 2021
Bates already knew what he was doing, he certainly wasn’t about to spin round and fire the ball into the net. Despite Abada having both legs stationary Bates decided to go to ground and take his chances with referee Kevin Clancy.
His luck was in. Rather than reach for a yellow card Clancy pointed to the penalty spot, Lewis Ferguson converted with Aberdeen back in the game.
Celtic had to wait until the hour mark to restore their lead, thankfully Callum McGregor’s goal delivered full points otherwise much more of an issue would have been made of the penalty awarded to Aberdeen.
Like most, I’ve watched it numerous times and every time it’s No PEN!!!
Disgraceful decision, he pulls away and the don player reacts to nothing!
Card for don the con..
Aberdonians are not renowned for buying anything but he bought that!
He’s not real Aberdonian after all…Hun ex newco scum b……..d. His right hook on Kyogo ignored, his repetitive fouling of Kyogo,…on and off the ball ignored by Nancy…
Absolutely shocking can’t believe it now I’ve seen it again God help us bhoys look at the refs face lol couldn’t wait to give it
Uncanny the resemblance between this soft as sh1te pen awarded against us, which could have resulted in a favourable result for the Ibrox tribute act, and the pen awarded against Aberdeen at Ibrox, which robbed them of three points and spared the same tribute act from suffering a deserved defeat. You would almost think that there was an agenda here to provide the Ibrox tribute act with an unfair advantage.