David Martindale has accused Celtic of playing for penalties- after they were awarded their first spot kick of the season.
When Jota was crossing the ball from the goal-line towards Giorgos Giakoumakis it took a touch of Andrew Shinnie before reaching the Celtic striker at the front post.
Willie Collum missed it in real time but after being called over to the VAR monitor he pointed to the penalty spot to the anguish of the Livingston boss.
Sky Sports replays showed Shinnie raising both hands up towards his chest, changing his natural silhouette to deflect or block the cross, but someone viewed it differently.
Listening in to Martindale’s post match interview with Radio Scotland, The Express reports the Livingston boss saying:
The penalty is a penalty, you can’t defend like that now. I think what you’re seeing with teams now is they’re trying to clip the ball off player’s hands if I’m honest. That’s going to be modern day football. I don’t see it as cheating, just a part of the game and I’m not saying that’s what happened in this case but I’m starting to see it now in football.
Giorgos Giakoumakis sent his penalty against the outside of the post but a couple of minutes later substitute Jota did score Celtic’s third goal to complete the scoring with the hoops restoring their four point lead at the top of the Premiership.
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After VAR drama, Celtic’s penalty hits the post! ?? pic.twitter.com/qnjo825sG8
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 30, 2022
