Referees never have it easy, and John Beaton’s performance in Sunday’s Old Firm game will most likely be remembered.
Rangers manager Philippe Clement praised him for his performance, notwithstanding his disagreement with the handball legislation that resulted in Connor Goldson’s punishment, which did not benefit the team.
The only dissenting views on John Beaton’s display were those of a green and white type. However, at Ibrox, a neutral Sky Sports analyst pointed out an obvious decision that may have damaged Rangers’ hopes of winning all three points.
Were the Rangers unfairly treated by the forgotten John Beaton call?
It wasn’t when Cyriel Dessers had a good goal disallowed because Tom Lawrence didn’t receive enough of the ball 70 yards up the pitch, or when Goldson fell prey to the most loathed football law.
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The smoke from the flares set before the first whistle had hardly cleared when Cameron Carter-Vickers blocked Rangers from taking an early free kick.
Yes, it was early, but with Celtic up 1-0, Beaton had an easy decision to make.
A yellow card is always issued as a result of yanking a player’s shirt while they escape.
The players are aware, as are the managers.
Nonetheless, Beaton kept his cards in his pocket, as former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock pointed out on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch programme:
“I watched the start of the game, and Carter-Vickers kicked a ball away.
“I listened to the commentary and they mentioned they were hesitant to award a yellow card because of the enormity of the game, and I believe ‘it’s the law’.
“And then Carter-Vickers committed another foul, and I was thinking, ‘He should have been sent off’.
“He should be off the pitch already.”
Another occurrence missed by conspiracy theorists.
The tribunal agreed that John Beaton made accurate decisions, including penalties for and against Rangers, during the tense Old Firm match.
And I agree, but as Warnock points out, not receiving a yellow card allowed Carter-Vickers to commit another foul knowing he was safe to take a booking.
Alistair Johnston was also fortunate after conceding several free kicks.
Dermot Gallagher is correct that the penalty was probably not enough to warrant a yellow card, but when you consider how many other fouls he had committed, it does make a difference.
This, however, is being picky, and for once, we must commend the man in the middle because, like it or not, he played well.
Imagine the reaction if he had followed the law strictly…
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