Michael Stewart was adamant that Celtic defender Alistair Johnston should’ve seen red against Rangers. The problem for the former midfielder is that supporters quickly dug out footage of him arguing the complete opposite over a near-identical challenge earlier in the season.
The flashpoint came during Sunday’s Glasgow derby when Johnston challenged Mikey Moore. Referee Nick Walsh reached for a yellow card immediately, and despite the outrage, VAR saw no reason to intervene.
Sky Sports later confirmed that all angles were available to the VAR team at Clydesdale House.
Stewart wasn’t having it. Taking to X after the match, he wrote: “You’re not allowed to jump into a tackle and have a follow through like that plain and simple. Terrible VAR!”
It did not take long for fans to remind him of comments he made back in November after Celtic’s 3-1 League Cup semi-final win over Rangers.
With the game level in the first half that day, defender Derek Cornelius lunged into Johnny Kenny in a challenge that looked remarkably similar to Johnston’s on Sunday. Cornelius caught the Celtic striker on the follow through and was shown yellow.
At the time, Stewart backed the decision completely.
Speaking on Premier Sports Social Club, he said: “Personally I thought the yellow card was the right decision. He wins the ball but he follows through and catches him, I think just above the ankle.
“I think it’s one of those ones that fall into the category of, had he shown a red card, I’m not sure VAR would be overturning it. But I think yellow was the right call for me.”
That clip has now done the rounds online, with plenty pointing out the contradiction between the two incidents.
The reality is both tackles fall into that grey area where the referee’s initial call carries huge weight. Walsh gave yellow in real time, VAR checked it, and the game moved on. Had he produced a red card initially, there is every chance VAR would have stayed out of it as well.
What has annoyed supporters is not so much Stewart having an opinion on Johnston’s tackle. It is the sudden shift in standards.
Stewart has not responded to the comparisons on social media so far.
For now, both clips are sitting side by side online, and they do not make comfortable viewing for him.
gulp another f–ck up stewart your not the punter you want people to think you are thats one of a hundred reason Thompson got bbc job and another you never played Rangers old-co and new-co Celtic fans wont forget this bias comment I wouldnt bother explaining you done it forget it supporters won’t . Back in the box with boyd