GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 10: Celtic's Kieran Tierney, James Forrest, Alistair Johnston and Liam Scales (L-R) celebrate at full time during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park, on May 10, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Paul Devlin/SNS Group via Getty Images)
The straw-clutchers have been out in force since half time on Sunday, mustered behind the campaign to send off Alistair Johnston.
Kris Boyd got the bandwagon underway, ably assisted by the nodding dogs of James McFadden and Neil Lennon.
That was all that it took to get things underway.
The Daily Record and Scottish Sun ceased the story and the narrative was set.
For those at the match or who missed the half-time coverage from Sky Sports the uproar was a mystery.
It was a run of the mill challenge. Plenty were witnessed during the match, no big deal with Johnston very unlucky to get booked.
The match restarted with a free kick to the visitors, Nick Walsh calling play back for a foul earlier in play.
JOHNSTON IS THE VICTIM WITH BITTER BOYD LEADING THE ATTACK
While the witch hunt on Johnston has been off and running no-one in the mainstream is looking at the performance of Walsh.
Celtic had 51% possession. Walsh awarded 25 free kicks against Celtic and just 13 in their favour.
Those sort of stats are par for the course in Scotland. Routinely Celtic are penalised twice as much as their opponents as they work the system of free kicks on demand. Hit the deck and listen out for the whistle.
Super-slow motion close Johnston gets the ball & his follow-through going into clear space – clean tackle. Moore then moves his foot into space where Johnston’s foot was going, Johnston goes over Moore’s metatarsal (not ankle). Not even a foul – a yellow for that is ridiculous pic.twitter.com/8sLHaXlrFC
— The Global Tablet of Jurisprudence (@gtj1247) May 11, 2026
Engels excelled today. Celtic greater legs in the middle of the park when he plays. Alistair Johnston such a difference at right back. Celtic have toiled all season in that position with him out like a man down. Deserved a yellow not red as many of the straw clutchers claimed…?
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) May 10, 2026
The comparisons to Kieran McGrath’s red card against Celtic are ridiculous. Johnston took the ball. End of.
Johnston was always favourite to win the ball and made contact well ahead of Mikey Moore. The on loan Spurs forward then ran into Johnston.
If Johnston had missed the ball he deserves punishment. He didn’t, he took the ball very cleanly, side on to Moore.
When Kris Boyd leads a campaign you know it is flimsy.
Rather than focus on the brilliance of Celtic or the utter collapse of Danny Rohl’s dream, the Johnston tackle has provided comfort to the serial losers.
If a Scotland defender puts in a similar tackle at the World Cup Finals he’ll be hailed as a national hero. The new Braveheart.
The only issue is that Johnston plays for Celtic. His team won the Derby match.
Yesterday referee Walsh was back at his day job. At Boclair Academy in Bearsden, working on the fitness and education of the Murray Park starlets.
A situation that only Scotland permits and strictly out of bounds for Boyd and the straw clutchers.
Both feet off the ground
Reckless
Tell me which one was the worst tackle of the 2? pic.twitter.com/na0AcDNh0T— Fraudulentsilverwarefreezone (@Paidallthebills) May 11, 2026
The reason this is never a red is because when AJ makes the tackle, he is miles clear of Moore and his foot is ahead of Moore.
AJ isn’t then responsible for Moores motion. Had he lunged towards more directly there’s an argument. But you can’t win a ball any cleaner than this ? pic.twitter.com/URWQlkhbpB
— Hun-Occhio (@Hun_Occhio) May 11, 2026
They always moan about isolated incidents as if these decisions are the difference between the two teams. They aren’t and never have been near us since the old club died. Celtic have won 14 out of 15 titles since then. No amount of moaning about whatever the hell they want to moan about can change the fact that they are not even close to being a rival and it literally kills them
Lived for years enduring the late Tam Forsyth(RIP) making “heroic” tackles clearing out everything in his path including on field accessories. “Got the ball first” was the mantra from all and sundry of a blue persuasion. I know things have allegedly changed. However that was an exceptional and successful challenge by the Canadian on Sunday. Fingers crossed for the next two games and 56.
Absolutely Despicable SNP Funded STV, one of the Major Establishment Clubs Supporters, during their VT of the match the also completely impartial Raman Bhardwai said between footage of the goals “Celtic escaped a red card for this Alistair Johnston tackle”
Absolutely Despicable
“SNP funded STV” ? – I’m not sure how that works Eddie but anyhow, yep it is a despicable description by the person you say read it out…
Although I think that he’d probably be reading out what his Sevco supporting producer / editor/ director type boss ordered him to do !
🙂
Someone cleverer than me will know. The SNP provide, I think, a £50m grant ( more than STV running costs) to provide Scottish TV ( Alba budget is substantially less but same type of thing) SNP also commit to a TV advertising budget to STV.
Hence its Pro Nationalist leanings
The Scottish Gattuso should have seen red for his shocking elbow on Engels.
HH
Sorry to say this as it might detract from your viewing of one of the best goals ever but watch him during Maedas goal.
It’s not just the ridiculous, never played football attempted clearance. It’s the little jump / skip like an over exuberant and totally uncoordinated Morris Dancer as the Overhead Kick sails way past him.
It’s like, look at me, look at me, I’m really really trying. Look at me!
It’s hilarious!! 🙂