Celtic fans have no excuses left as Dermot Gallagher sets record straight after Rangers win
Dermot Gallagher has responded to Celtic fans who believe Rangers should’ve had a man sent off in their Old Firm derby win.
Rangers beat Celtic 3-1 at Parkhead on Saturday, with a brace from Youssef Chermiti and a goal from Mikey Moore ensuring Danny Rohl’s side took all three points.
Wilfried Nancy has now been sacked by the Hoops following the result, meaning the Frenchman lasted just eight games in the job.
The Gers are now level on points with their Glasgow rivals in the Scottish Premiership and six points adrift of Hearts at the top of the table.
Emmanuel Fernandez avoids red card vs Celtic
Just three minutes into the third Old Firm derby of the season, Emmanuel Fernandez caught Arne Engels in the face with a flailing arm.
The Celtic man was pressurising the centre-back from behind, before being struck in the face by his elbow and falling to the floor.
Referee Steven McLean didn’t produce a card, and VAR decided that it was not worthy of a sending off, meaning that Fernandez was not punished for the incident.
Some Celtic fans believe that the 24-year-old should’ve been dismissed, but former Premier League referee Gallagher thinks it was only worthy of a booking.
Speaking on Sky Sports Ref Watch, he said: “I thought yellow card. I don’t think he swings an elbow, he’s almost pushing him off isn’t he? It’s not as if he’s fired it off as a weapon.
“I do think the referee handled this game really, really well.”
Celtic fans have nothing left to blame
It’s clear that there was no intent behind Fernandez’s apparent ‘elbow’, which should eliminate any element of controversy from the Old Firm.
Rangers were more than deserving of their victory after a sublime second-half performance, which saw Chermiti and Moore turn the game around.
Celtic cannot blame the referee for their poor display, and it the hierarchy at Parkhead have already made their move by sacking Nancy.
Gers supporters will hope that their Glasgow neighbours continue to struggle even after the dismissal of Nancy.
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