Steven McLean’s critical Ibrox decision that the media won’t go near
Compared to the whining and squealing that followed Celtic’s 3-2 win in the previous SPFL Glasgow Derby, Steven McLean is getting a very easy time of it following his performance at Ibrox on Saturday.
At Celtic Park Kevin Clancy’s crime was to apply the Laws of the Game when Alfredo Morelos pushed and pulled at Alastair Johnston to create a yard of space and ‘score’.
Straight away Ally McCoist, Andy Walker and Kris Boyd were on the case calling out the travesty of justice and the inevitable consequences.
Micky Beale was soon rabble rousing with the Scottish media happy to play along with easy copy and talking points.
Not checked by VAR? Why @ScottishFA ? https://t.co/jIw6Mzflb1
— Michael McCahill (@MichaelMcCahi10) May 14, 2023
After letting John Souttar hold off Yuki Kobayashi to score the second goal at Ibrox on Saturday McLean wasn’t going to blot his copybook by awarding Celtic a penalty when Connor Goldson deliberately handled a ball cut back into the penalty box.
The former Shrewsbury star had his left arm raised above his body to deflect a potential shot while his right was stretched back to sweep away a cut back.
Walker, Ian Crocker and Bobby Madden were quickly on the scene with another interpretation of Goldson’s Law with any review of the incident quickly killed off.
With a proud record of 52 SPFL matches stretching back to January 2022 McLean wasn’t going to break that run, Saturday’s performance should see him back on the rota for next season’s Glasgow Derby fixtures.
McLean’s brother, Brian was a Murray Park starlet 20 years ago, Steven’s career highlight was refusing to punish Josh Meekings for a clear handball in the 2015 Scottish Cup semi-final between Celtic and Inverness Caley Thistle.
After bottling it with pointless statements about McLean and John Beaton in the past Peter Lawwell won’t be making any comment on Saturday’s match, in November Michael Nicholson told the Celtic AGM to expect teething issues with VAR.
Hand/arm didn’t fall naturally with the rest of him as protection , he deliberately drops arm to scoop the ball
— ??steve m?? ?? (@sdceltic1) May 14, 2023
It’s a penalty in any League other than the corrupt Scottish League. Amazing Celtic are gonna win the treble.
— Andy (@Bobolutontim) May 14, 2023
I said this, he has stopped the momentum of the ball
— Chris McCormack (@madcelt61) May 14, 2023
