The Glasgow derby produced another enthralling and entertaining game of football that didn’t go Celtic’s way on Sunday.
Everyone is well aware that the Premiership title is around the corner and even a possible Treble for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
But, following the Ibrox horror show after the New Year, Celtic wanted to bounce back and celebrate their upcoming title win in style.
Instead, Celtic suffered a 3-2 defeat to Rangers, in a game full of typical aggression and passion, but no control in the middle of the park from the home side.
Usually, the Glasgow derby is packed with incident after incident and major talking points, but there was very little to talk about here.
Right at the death, Alistair Johnston missed a guilt edge chance to score, but should Adam Idah have been awarded a penalty for a push?
Dermot Gallagher on Celtic’s penalty shout for Adam Idah against Rangers
With Celtic looking for the equaliser following Hamza Igamane’s goal, a cross was whipped into the penalty area from deep and Idah was left on the floor.
That’s when Johnston arrived at the back post and saw his effort blaze over the bar, with the Celtic striker asking for a penalty.
But, speaking on Ref Watch on Sky Sports News (17/03/25 at 11:45 am), Dermot Gallagher explained why the right call was made and how it wasn’t a penalty.
“Could and should Celtic have had a penalty in the dying seconds of stoppage-time,” Rob Wotton asked.
Gallagher responded: “No. The ball comes in. A bit of physical contact. It goes to Alistair Johnston, who may have well put it into the back of the net on another day, but not a penalty.
Gallagher on how the Glasgow derby was officiated
The Celtic vs Rangers clashes, whether nothing is on the line, in terms of the title being done, or it’s a cup final, it’s always contested with passion of the highest order.
There is always a huge spotlight on the man in the middle and Gallagher wanted to note how well Steven McLean officiated the game in Glasgow.
The former Premier League referee explained how this type of game is ‘very, very difficult’ to manage because of the type of contest it becomes out on the pitch.
“If I can just say one thing, because this game, I have to tell it, is very, very difficult to referee,” added Gallagher. “Steve McLean, I think was the perfect choice for it. I thought he refereed it perfectly and let it flow.
“It was a very physical contact game, with nobody stepping over the line. They accepted what he wanted to do. He accepted what the players wanted to do and I think it made a better spectacle for it.
