Celtic’s win over Rangers yesterday put Brendan Rodgers’ side six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership and within touching distance of being crowned champions for the third season in a row.
A superb goal from Matt O’Riley and an own goal from Rangers’ John Lundstram put Celtic 2-0 up and cruising before Cyriel Dessers’ instant reply gave the Ibrox club a lifeline in the game.
And when Celtic were awarded a penalty early in the second half, O’Riley was given the opportunity to put the game beyond Rangers and make the rest of the afternoon really comfortable against at ten-man Philippe Clement side.
As it was O’Riley missed the spot kick but it never made any difference to the result as Celtic eventually saw the game out as 2-1 winners.
Neil McCann criticises Celtic’s ‘soft’ penalty award
Speaking after watching the post-game highlights, former Rangers hero, Neil McCann was asked his opinion on the decision to award Celtic a penalty when he made this bizarre claim.
McCann said [Sportscene], “I’ve watched it so many times, I actually think this is soft. Diomande is getting back in so he plants his foot and it was a beautiful touch by Matt O’Riley to take him out.
“But he brings his leg through and kicks Dimonade’s foot.
“And that’s not what brings him down. There’s another step because he felt the contact and then he’s thrown himself over. It’s a bit theatrical.
“I think he kicks Diomande and I think it’s soft but I can understand why Willie Collum has given it. And also, is it a clear and obvious error for Willie Collum to say that’s a wrong decision and change his mind?
“I don’t think it is.”
Very strange from McCann as the foul on O’Riley was reminiscent to the one where Dessers kicked Gustaf Lagerbielke in the first Glasgow Derby of the season which led to Rangers’ goal being disallowed.
It was a clear infringement and Peter Grant wasn’t having any of it.
Peter Grant explains ‘exactly’ why Celtic’s penalty award was correct
Grant was then asked for his opinion on the penalty and the former Celtic hero put McCann straight on exactly why it was a penalty ‘all day long’ for Celtic.
Grant replied, “I should give Neil they glasses. It’s a fantastic turn from Matt. He’s just let the ball roll by him. They always say you need to go across the defender.
“That’s exactly what he’s done and he steps inside and he’s going to have a shot on target. There’s no way O’Riley’s went to ground without the touch.
“You can see clearly he’s going to touch on him. He’s came from behind he’s put his foot in there, it’s a penalty kick all day long.”
At the end of the day, it was a clear foul and VAR did the job that it was brought in to do and proved that the decision by Willie Collum to award the penalty was the correct one.
It just seems like a little bit of sour grapes from McCann who will now need to watch Celtic lift their third title in a row should they pick up the one point they require from either Kilmarnock midweek or St Mirren next Saturday.