After learning last night of Hyunjun Yang’s red card penalty appeal, Celtic will be missing their winger for the next three league games, according to Brendan Rodgers.
On Sunday, the Celtic manager was furious with the match officials and particularly vocal in his criticism of John Beaton, the VAR man.
While many thought there was no need to, Beaton called Robertson over to the VAR monitor and initiated the actions to award a penalty against Celtic and Yang’s red card.
Barry Ferguson, however, had a different take on the penalty Celtic received and Yang’s role in it, even though he agreed that none of those rulings was right.
According to Barry Ferguson, Yang may have dove for a Celtic penalty
The former Rangers player had harsh criticism for the Tynecastle match officials as well, but he had an odd opinion about the penalty that was given on The Go Radio Football Show for a foul on Celtic winger Hyunjun Yang:
Ferguson: “There is never a fine. It’s simply not a punishment, in my view.
Cooney: “Do you think he [Yang] played for it?”
Ferguson: “I believe he’s played for it, yes. It’s not a penalty, in my opinion. I don’t see much of a relationship, and I don’t see it as a penalty at all.
Cooney: “Would that have been called a penalty in the days before VAR?”
Ferguson: “Not at all. Simply put, I don’t see it as a penalty. I’m only expressing my viewpoint. It seems really soft to me. Brendan Rodgers continues talking about John Beaton without bringing up the Celtic penalty.
John Beaton is ultimately there to notify that there has been contact. Whether it was a handball by Iwata, a high boot by Yang, or a penalty from Celtic.
“Don Robertson needs to approach the monitor before making a final choice. Don Robertson has the last say when it comes to red cards and penalties.
Alright, to start with, the Celtic winger never dove. Even though Yang received a very light sentence, the idea that she somehow bought it is completely false.
Second, Beaton refrained from influencing the choice at all. Don Robertson called for the spot kick and did not waver.
It seems that the VAR official had no say in the situation. Had Robertson adhered to his first rulings on the red card and the Hearts penalty, this week’s conversation might have been very different.