Hamilton Accies boss Brian Rice has questioned Nick Walsh’s decision to give Leigh Griffiths just a yellow card in Sunday’s 4-1 win in South Lanarkshire. In what was a huge talking point, Celtic’s No. 9 for appeared to stand on Sam Woods – which Rice insists was a red card offence.
The Celtic striker was booked for the altercation, along with Accies stopper Gogic for the melee that erupted after the incident occurred but Rice feels that it was worthy of a sending off, as reported in the Scottish Sun.
“I don’t think there is any debate. It’s a red card for Leigh Griffiths. End of story.
“But my opinion doesn’t matter. The only person whose opinion matters is the referee.
“He may look at it and say he made a mistake, or he may look at it and say he got that right.
“But in my opinion, I don’t think there is any debate. A big decision by the ref changed the game.”
Minutes after, Griffiths was involved as Jamie Hamilton was shown red after the striker turned the youngster and appeared to be through on goal before a tug back forced the referee to send Hamilton off. Odsonne Edouard scored the resulting free-kick as Celtic came back from 1-0 down to win 4-1.
Despite Woods apparently grabbing Griffiths boot, Rice is adamant that it was foul play from the 29-year-old and by him staying on the pitch, it had an adverse effect on the result from his side’s point of view.
Rice, however, isn’t wanting Griffiths to receive a ban from Clare Whyte – who has the power to upgrade a yellow card offence as she did with Darian McKinnon last season.
“We had it last season when Darian was upgraded to a red from a yellow. But I hope that doesn’t happen this time.
“It doesn’t do us any favours. The game is finished, so let’s move on.
“But I do think it was a defining moment in the game because Leigh was later involved in our sending-off.”
Celtic face another trip to South Lanarkshire on Wednesday as they face a Motherwell before league action is paused for a trip to Clyde in the Scottish Cup Fifth Round.
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