Former top flight Scottish referees have hailed the sportsmanship shown by Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi during the Viaplay Cup final on Sunday.
The 28-year-old striker struck twice to become the first Celtic player to score back-to-back braces in League Cup finals since Billy McPhail back in the late 1950s as he scored in the final against Hibs last season.
Before he bagged his first goal in the match, he collided with Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor and although many Hoops fans thought they could have been awarded a penalty, Nick Walsh allowed for play to continue.
Kyogo then made sure to let the referee know that McGregor had won the ball when he made a gesture of the ball with his hands to show the keeper had got there first.
There has been a lot of nonsense directed in Kyogo’s direction about him being a ‘diver’ but former referee Steve Conroy admits that the Japanese forward made life a whole lot easier for Walsh and John Beaton by being so honest and praised his actions.
“Who needs VAR when you’ve got Kyogo? I’ll bet John Beaton was breathing a sigh of relief when the Celtic striker jumped straight up after a collision with Allan McGregor and indicated there was no foul committed, never mind a penalty,” said Conroy speaking to [Grosvenor Sport].
“It was Michael Beale showing sportsmanship a couple of weeks ago when he allowed Partick Thistle to score unimpeded after Malik Tillman netted for Rangers, blissfully unaware of a deal struck about Thistle getting the ball back.
“Now it’s Kyogo showing the same thing which is great to see. It really is a different world.”
The flip side of Kyogo’s good gesture was fellow attacker Liel Abada diving in the second half outside the box.
Many Celtic fans in the east stand thought the winger had been taken down as there would have been no reason for him to dive but replays show there was no contact which infuriated former referee Des Roache who also praised Kyogo.
“I think it’s the first time in Old Firm history we have not seen a player claim for a penalty. Maybe it’s because Kyogo is from a different culture and not ingrained in this fixture.
“Fair play to him for getting up and getting on with it. It really is a sea change in this fixture.
“It’s a bug-bear of mine and I will be consistent. He (Abada) should be given a retrospective red card for cheating.
“He knew what he was doing and you could see how sheepish he looked when Nick Walsh brought out the yellow card, which is the current tariff for this offence.
“I really hate simulation and I think the only way you are going to get rid of blatant cheating is to make it a red card offence.”
