Watch how Kevin Clancy bailed John Souttar out of Howler II

If any club had a right to feel puzzled by the performance of Kevin Clancy at the weekend it was Celtic.

The hoops had lost all three previous Derby matches that Clancy had taken charge of and were certainly up against it on Saturday.

Throughout this season the amount of fouls awarded against Celtic has been incredible, opponents in need of a breather or wanting to eat up time know that by falling to the ground they can almost guarantee a free kick.

Micky Beale’s side exploited that to the full with Clancy awarding a succession of second half free-kicks allowing the ball to be launched into the penalty box.

Looks to me that Souttar got away with this very light ‘foul’ and on another day could have received a red.

If you compare it to the Morelos push, there is less in the Souttar incident. https://t.co/Cgjl0k02zL

— Lint (@Zeshankenzo) April 11, 2023

Before Saturday John Souttar hadn’t played more than 70 minutes in a blue shirt, reaching that stage back in July away to Livingston.

Playing 90 plus minutes against Celtic was a big ask, especially when a substitute like Oh Hyeon-gyu comes on after 75 minutes.

As the visitors pushed for a late equaliser they became increasingly vulnerable at the back, into stoppage time Souttar knew exactly what was at stake with Oh chasing him down.

The former Hearts defender took no chances, as well as falling over at imaginary contact he grabbed the ball on the off chance that Clancy wouldn’t award a free-kick. He needn’t have worried

Yes- the only possible answer

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No, best to stick with our local refs

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