Celtic’s 19 Point Challenge but ‘How is that not a penalty?’ Michael Stewart asks

Celtic’s task of winning the Scottish Premiership this season is now an even tougher challenge thanks to referee Willie Collum. Usually over-eager to be the centre of attention the man with the whistle decided to overlook not one but two stonewall penalty claims for Hibs as theRangers squeezed past Jack Ross’ side with the only goal of the game coming from Hagi midway through the first half.

Celtic now go into the game at Hamilton an incredible 19 points behind theRangers with three games in hand.

The old Ibrox joke involves someone asking the score from the game and being told 1-0 to Rangers, with the retort being who scored the penalty. The same one works for a nil-nil with the retort being adapted to who missed the penalty.

Well today there were NO PENALTIES at all but there should have been TWO and both should have been awarded to the visitors.

Neil Lennon has named his team for this afternoon’s game against Hamilton Accies at the FOYS Stadium. The Boxing Day clash sees the Scottish Champions facing up against Brian Rice’s depleted side as they look to claw back some of the gap that Rangers currently have at the top of the Premiership table.

The manager has decided to make a couple of changes from the side that beat Ross County 2-0 on Wednesday night as he looks to navigate what can be a tricky away game.

Lennon has decided to continue with Conor Hazard in between the sticks after recording a clean-sheet on a quiet evening against The Staggies. He will be hoping to further cement his place in the first team and prove to the manager that he is capable of wearing the gloves at Ibrox.

In defence, Kris Ajer and Nir Bitton start in the centre of defence with Jeremie Frimpong and Greg Taylor in the full-back roles.

In the midfield, Callum McGregor captains the side and he is joined in the midfield by David Turnbull, Ismaila Soro and Ryan Christie in a diamond in the middle of the park.

In attack, Lennon has decided to continue with the partnership of Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths as he looks to get game time between the pair ahead of the visit of Dundee United then the trip to Ibrox.

On the bench for Celtic: Barkas, Duffy, Brown, Ajeti, Klimala, Rogic, Johnston, Elyounoussi and Laxalt.

Here is the Hamilton team for this afternoon.

Come on Celtic!

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

3 Comments

  1. Merry Christmas to everyone. I would like to ask a question here,what do celtic need to do to get a free kick from these so called referee’s. I watched the hibs game ,2 certain penalties denied to hibs, now watching celtic game and the amount off free kicks denied to celtic is ridiculous, especially when a celtic player goes anywhere near a Hamilton player whistle blows and free kick awarded to Hamilton.i would like to know is celtic going to question these decisions or are they just going to say nothing. I’m getting really angry by these decisions and nothing seems to get said or done by the club. Awaiting your replies.

  2. Celtic under atrocious condition played good football one touch bitton and ajer breaking into midfield just one moment when ajer crossfeild pass no need to plus rolled the ball instead of passing button could have moved towards it put gave the rf a decision to make Dallas would have sent him off as we know he has no integrity booking was by far right decision apart from that we played well first goal was a stone Waller took player out after ball was away Taylor played well beginningto believe in himself two up front combined well soro does what he told to do win challenge pass to midfielder dosent hold the ball and keeps the tempo high cant be dropped if ur playing well as he is no matter who on bench drop him now u will sicken him really happy played football plastic pitch I must say is better wet and spl should make teams water ut cause you cant play football when dry

  3. Great play by Celtic on a plastic pitch and in the middle of a storm must say surface us better watered so spl should insist plastic pitches should be watered dry artificial pitch is anti football and dangerous to players what a difference when watered by the heavy rain have them watered before halftime any other sport played on that surface is watered at all.intervals