Celtic drew level with Hearts on points after a 1-0 home win over Dundee last night, but the game didn’t go without its controversy.
There were claims for a Dundee red card in the second half, but a foul was given given the visitors’ way, and Ref Watch have had their say on the incident.
It was Martin O’Neill’s final game in interim charge of the Hoops and there were few dry eyes inside Celtic Park.
The Hoops had their chances to extend their lead, but Maeda’s brave header early in the first half was the difference in the end.
The forward required treatment immediately after he scored due to a collision with Dundee defender Luke Graham.
Celtic played with ten men until the Japan international soon returned to the pitch to a rupturing applause.
He was later involved in an incident with opposing goalkeeper Jon McCracken.
Maeda pressed McCracken and forced him to take a heavy touch, with the Scottish ‘keeper then clutching the ball outside his box after going down.
Referee Duncan Nicolson blew his whistle and deemed Maeda to have fouled him.
Dermot Gallagher analysed the incident on Sky Sports Ref Watch.
He said:
“I think he’s fortunate that Maeda fouls him. It’s not the biggest foul in the world, but it is a foul. The keeper’s clever, because he does what every player is taught to do. he puts himself between the player and the ball. Once he does that, Maeda can’t win the ball. It’s a foul.”
Former English striker Jay Bothroyd also had his say:
“Players generally on the pitch, we’re told to shield the ball, get your body in, protect the ball. That’s exactly what McCracken has done there, he’s done it well. Maeda’s gone through the back of him, he’s got the foul, that’s the correct decision. Overall, right decision.”
Looking at the whole context of the game, there were plenty of instances of this type of foul not being punished. It appears the goalkeeper got some extra protection and forced the referee into a decision by diving on the ball immediately after.
Celtic managed to see out the win and could now go top on Sunday with a win against Hearts.
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