Two penalty awards helped the winners win, making it an incredible dramatic evening.
On a night of intense drama in Leith, Brendan Rodgers banished his personal Easter Road curse, and it proved to as captivating as expected.
Nick Walsh gave Celtic two spot kicks as they won, but the argument went beyond the penalties as Nick Montgomery became enraged over several calls. Sour grapes? The Hibs manager, who found it difficult to accept that the Premiership winners had won a match in which they had battled, will refuse.
Record Sport controls the play after another crazy night in the Scottish Premiership, which saw Celtic open up a three-point lead over Rangers. Rangers will have the opportunity to take the lead when they play troublesome Ross County next week.
first-ever Celtic penalty
At Easter Road, the man in the middle was almost immediately called into action. Alesiair Johnston was challenged by Nectarios Triantis for a header in the box, but Triantis arrived late and collided with the Celtic defender, forcing him to the hospital. After receiving extensive treatment, Anthony Ralston took over for the Canadian international, and Adam Idah scored from close range.
Both Chris Sutton and VAR declined to dispute with Nick Walsh when providing commentary for Sky Sports. It’s the header, he remarked. It’s evident to you. I believe that Nick Walsh is right to impose the penalty. It’s an audacious challenge. It’s certain that Johnston will always prevail in the opening header.
Martin Boyle snubs the “penalty”
The Hibs talisman appeared to go down under minimal pressure from Alexandro Bernabei with the game tied at 1-1 after going on a wild run into the area, buoyed by his team’s impressive second half. After the final whistle, Hibs manager Nick Montgomery was incensed by the decision and the fact that Nick Walsh was not summoned to the monitor by the VAR crew, even though the Australian international had been booked for diving.
With a swift rebuttal, Chris Sutton of Sky Sports said, “He does brilliantly initially, but he has dived,” in his commentary. Nick Walsh made the right decision. “If you are looking at his reaction you would think he has been caught, but no,” a perplexed John Collins continued on Sportsound.
Kris Boyd, however, proved to be an ally, adamantly declaring, “I have seen them given.” You can see, in my opinion, that Bernabei did manage to catch him a little bit. I have witnessed them being provided.”
‘Handball’ Anthony Ralston
Myziane Maolida blasted a ball into the area that cannoned off of Stephen Welsh and onto Ralston as the hosts pressed for a winner. The judgment may have been a penalty instead of the host team being granted a corner, amateur referees swiftly objected.
A person said, “Hands hit ball while hands above head.” In the words of another untrained referee, “That’s a penalty, simple.”
However, the bar for a handball within the box seems to be stricter than it was during VAR’s inaugural season in Scottish football last season, as has been demonstrated on numerous occasions this season.
It turned out to be the game’s pivotal moment. Yogo Furuhashi attempted a shot on the outskirts of the box, but Joe Newell cut down the Celtic star. Nick Walsh dismissed the claim at first, but the VAR crew directed him to the monitor.
At first, John Collins defended himself by saying, “As he followed through, he kicked Joe Newell’s shin, but it was an accident.” The Hibs player didn’t mean any harm in it. “He looks just inside to me,” Sutton remarked.
However, Walsh gave the penalty following a screen review. Idah used the opportunity to settle the match and score his second goal of the game.
GET MORE NEWS HERE