Neil Lennon reacts to Rangers controversy vs Celtic after what he saw from Ibrox stands
Neil Lennon believes it was the right call not to award Rangers an early penalty in their Scottish Cup quarter-final clash with Celtic.
The Old Firm foes locked horns once again at Ibrox on Sunday, with a last-four spot in the competition on the line.
Rangers threw away a two-goal lead against Celtic in the Scottish Premiership at this very ground to draw last Sunday, and they started on the front foot again against Martin O’Neill’s team.
Daizen Maida, however, looked to have put the Bhoys ahead in the 35th minute, but the goal was chalked off for Liam Scales being offside.
Rangers ended the half with seven shots to Celtic’s one and 53 per cent possession, but went into the break goalless, in what was a very different game to last Sunday’s encounter.
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Rangers’ protests over penalty appeal waved away
In the seventh minute of the contest, the game had its first big talking point when Youssef Chermiti’s shot hit Auston Trusty’s arm.
Rangers’ players and fans screamed for a penalty, but referee Don Robertson waved play on for the relieved visitors.
On BBC Sportsound, former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday admitted it would be a shame to see penalty area incidents like these get penalised, as his arm appeared to be tucked in.
And former Celtic boss Lennon agreed with him, saying the correct decision was made as the ball hit the arm that was tight in, despite what he first thought.
Speaking live on Premier Sports commentary, he said: “No, this is definitely not a penalty.
“I actually thought, from where we were sitting, it hit his left arm, but it didn’t; it hit the right arm, which is tucked in. It’s never a penalty.”
Rangers and Celtic share common referee belief
Before the thrilling Scottish Premiership clash last weekend, Rangers and Celtic fans weren’t happy at referee John Beaton’s appointment.
Both sets of supporters have been on the wrong end of debatable calls from the official, who reportedly grew up as a Rangers fan.
But last time out, he put in a solid display, with very few going on to comment on his performance, which tends to suggest he did a good job.
A week on, Robertson is in the line of fire, and now this penalty call is likely to be debated for a while yet.
With a neutral view on the incident, though, many will accept that it was the right call to not punish Trusty, however much the spot kick was shouted for.
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