Former English Premier League referee and Sky Sports analyst Dermot Gallagher has dismissed the complaints raised by Hibernian after yesterday’s Premier Sports Cup Final. Hibs interim boss David Gray and defender Paul McGinn claimed that John Beaton got two major decisions wrong which cost the Hibees the game. One complaint was in regard to a rejected penalty claim and the other involved Celtic’s second goal. However, Dermot Gallagher has explained why both grumbles are unjustified.
▪️ His take on the game
▪️ Praise for the Hibs players
▪️ Conceding so quickly after scoring
▪️ A game of big moments
▪️ Our penalty claimDavid Gray spoke to @PremierSportsTV following our Cup Final defeat…
— Hibernian Football Club (@HibernianFC) December 19, 2021
Many pundits remarked that Hibs were denied a “stonewaller”, when Carl Starfelt was accused of pushing Ryan Porteous in the back. As such, the incident was included on Sky Sports News‘ Ref Watch segment and Gallagher said:
Drama in the final minutes!😮
Hibs have a great penalty shout and miss an absolute sitter 🤯 pic.twitter.com/GwH4RzOAPy
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) December 19, 2021
“I think not. It’s a coming together and no more than that.
“The defender is strong. You see the forward coming up very, very quickly. I don’t think he’s convinced it’s a penalty either.
“We’ve already seen Trent Alexander-Arnold put his hands on the back (earlier in the programme). It’s what impact is has.”
In terms of Celtic’s winning goal, when Kyogo got in behind after a quick free-kick, McGinn stated that the capital club were furious as they were expecting play to be halted for a substitution.
Dermot Gallagher just now didn’t have an issue with the free kick and also said Starfelt didn’t push Porteous so no penalty either!
— Ian Mackay (@IgMackay67) December 20, 2021
Gallagher ran the rule over that decision too and remarked:
“This is all about the consequence.
“The free-kick is given and because the ball is chipped in very, very quickly and the goal results from it, it becomes a big talking point.
“You see free-kicks given like that. It’s a free-kick that you see in many, many games.
“The referee is always going to allow them to take it quick if they are in the right place.”
Studs down the heel and a push in the back. https://t.co/ATK2SrX8cJ pic.twitter.com/jHlphKJUbb
— Lint (@Zeshankenzo) December 19, 2021
It is also worth noting McGinn stood on Taylor’s heel and pushed him in the back, inside the box. However, the Hibs man had an absence of memory when reflecting on the match’s decisions. Perhaps Celtic should have been given a penalty for that infringement?
🗣️”It is inept.”
Hibernian defender Paul McGinn has accused John Beaton of ‘inept’ refereeing after claiming Celtic’s winner in the League Cup final shouldn’t have been allowed👇 pic.twitter.com/TbmGHGM1D8
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 19, 2021
It’s always a shame when players on the losing side make really very stupid statements resulting in making a public fool of themselves.
Apart from Hibs getting away with a pretty stonewall penalty when McGinn fouled Taylor in the box in the first half, Hibs were very fortunate and took the lead from their first andonly corner of the game after 51 minutes! Playing time wise, they could only hold that lead for less than 17 seconds. They actually spent much more time celebrating than they held the lead in playing time!
Hibs had 34% possession to Celtic’s 64% Most of the 34% possession was defensive possession!
They had seven shots to Celtic’s seventeen and commited 16 fouls to Celtic’s 11.
They dodged a second minute yellow card somehow too!
Players who make statements like this show themselves up and totally embarrass themselves.
Unfortunately, it normally leads to others from the club making the dumb decision to jump on the bandwagon, themselves talking tripe also.
David Gray had made a great account of himself until he was sucked in with the infantile statements from McGinn.
Let’s be clear here, Hibs were not at the races and should be thankful they never lost by a bucketload.
As for McGinn, keep quiet and stop embarrassing yourself!