When seven minutes of stoppage time is added at the end of a match it is fairly unusual.
Today John Beaton could have doubled that without any complaints.
Had the Lanarkshire based referee taken action against Motherwell players by producing yellow cards for time wasting the added time wouldn’t have been required.
There was the usual time wasting during the first half with one added element. In response to Celtic taking quick throw-ins Motherwell players went out of their way to get possession of the first ball then drop it on the park as Celtic moved quickly back into possession.
Beaton did nothing.
Once Kevin van Veen equalised in the 55th minute the time wasting reached incredible new levels led by captain Liam Kelly.
More than 30 seconds was wasted at every goal kick.
Beaton did nothing.
Midway through the second half Kelly ran into a team-mate and created an imaginary injury. After banging the turf in agony he went through all of the motions for the mystery knock with Beaton looking on, close to five minutes was wasted before the Motherwell keeper limped bravely back into action.
At every contact Motherwell players were falling over, they either got a free-kick or as a bonus a breather with the physio allowed onto the park to apply treatment.
One injured player rolled back onto the pitch, the physio was allowed on for treatment and positioned himself on the pitch to further hold up play as Celtic prepared for a corner.
Beaton indicated for a miserable seven minutes of stoppage time, the pattern continued with the match finally halted in the 99th minute.
Earlier this season the Lanarkshire based referee sent off Callum McGregor at home to Motherwell, earlier in the game he had missed Ricki Lamie putting his hands out to block a Celtic cross inside the penalty area.
In Beaton’s other Celtic match he awarded Fashion Sakala a penalty for running into Carl Starfelt, at the other end of the pitch Connor Goldson escaped punishment for raising his hands to block a Starfelt shot.
In January 2019 Celtic issued a statement requesting explanations after Beaton had refereed a match at Ibrox, after tea and biscuits with Ian Maxwell at Hampden the Celtic CEO dropped the request.
It’s up to us to beat whoever is in front of us & however they set up to play is up to them but last thing I am going to accept is Mwell performance being applauded & described as heroic.
Time wasting & play acting that Beaton only decided he had enough of by 90+.
— Berto (@8ertieBhoy) April 22, 2023
Beaton being complicit in the time wasting here.
— Francis S Hughes ? (@SocialistBhoy) April 22, 2023
An honest referee would be hounding players to stop such blatant time wasting. Beaton is more than happy to allow this
— King Jobbie III (@kingjobbie) April 22, 2023
Motherwell were a disgrace with the time wasting today and Beaton let them away with it all game. Not a warning for Liam Kelly, despite taking around 25 seconds for every goal kick
— Dan (@danconnor1985) April 22, 2023
We weren’t good today at all, no killer pass. But, Motherwell made that the most unenjoyable game of football I can remember watching for a long time. Liam Kelly took 25-30 seconds on *every single* goal kick and John Beaton allowed him to.
Need to up our game for next week.
— Celtic Thoughts (@celtic_thoughts) April 22, 2023
He was off the park there then rolled back on- Beaton’s allowing this
— Paul McLaughlin (@pmclaughlin_67) April 22, 2023
Classic john smelly beaton Kyogo gets yellow for a daft handball but liam kelly should receive an oscar for his time wasting still thought we were clearly better especially first half lets just smash these mutants next week.
— yerdasadinnerlady (@LewisfaeJapan) April 22, 2023
Beaton never lets you down. Absolute embarrassment.
— ?? ? (@p_bov1) April 22, 2023
Hope Celtic write to the SFA about Beaton’s performance. Whistle has been blown more than a 90s rave today.
— Johnny_Scotland (@Johnny_Sctland) April 22, 2023