Alastair Johnston has admitted that ‘something did not feel right’ about the Ibrox incident where Connor Goldson handled a shot from Carl Starfelt.
With Celtic trailing 2-1 the Swede fired a shot goalwards with the Ibrox defender raising his legs and hands to try and block the effort.
The game continued with the ball played out for a Celtic throw-in close to the halfway line. Celtic wanted to restart to keep the pressure on but John Beaton held the game up, consulted Willie Collum on VAR then quickly resumed play.
Straight after the match little was made of the incident, the only Celtic player to speak was Callum McGregor with Sky Sports but social media quickly picked up on it, comparing it to other handball incidents.
Johnston enjoyed an impressive debut, he spoke to Celtic TV straight after the match, speaking again yesterday the Daily Record picked up on his views on the incident that has dominated post match coverage:
It happened so quick you couldn’t really tell, then we are waiting for the throw and they said he was looking at a potential handball.
That kind of made sense because something did not feel right about what happened in there. Then after the match you obviously see the replay of it, and I think it’s hard to argue that is a natural hand position.
As a defender especially you put your hands up there (and) you generally run the risk. So for me obviously I thought it was a pen, obviously I’m a little biased here but it is what it is.
How should Celtic deal with the SFA over VAR?
Quietly in the background, the Bankier way
Keep the pressure on through the Daily Record
Publish detailed complaints after every match on club website
Kyogo Furuhashi did get an 88th minute equaliser for Celtic but the penalty controversy refuses to go away.
This season the league leaders have conceded five penalties in 20 SPFL matches, Monday’s opponents haven’t had a single penalty award go against them.
Why before a free kick just out the area refs warn yes Beaton dies it Willie column doesn’t warn those in defending wall do not raise your hands and all this crap about in front of his face it’s a penalty beaten passed the buck and his pal Willie took the blame beatson poor for bottling it when the last time he gave a penalty against sevco might have gave one that didn’t matter in game but no way he was giving that then meet his pals for a pint in his local a bluenose pub facts are there but the will be twisted like twisted punters and so called journalists
The cheating has to stop all the spl clubs need a meeting with the spl as so as possible
Lawell has done more from the club than you will ever do. Celtic have been done by the Scottish refereeing establishment for all of my 65 years. Jock Stein couldn’t change things. What do you suggest Celtic do other than complain. I would love to hear something constructive other than panning the board.