After Celtic went ahead last night due to another Jota goal in reply to Lewis Ferguson’s header to make it 2-2, all hell broke loose with people shouting and screaming for offside because of Liel Abada’s interference with play in the build-up to the finish. Now, Michael Stewart has had his say on BBC Sportscene – which is not a favourite of Celtic supporters to be fair – about the outcry over Abada’s involvement in the winning goal.
Stewart has claimed it is nothing more than Celtic deserved, pointing to the fact that the Hoops were through on goal earlier in the first-half, when a beautiful through ball found the Portuguese winger Jota yet again one-on-one with the Aberdeen ‘keeper, only to be called for offside even though he was clearly on in the replay.
A lot of focus on Celtic's 'controversial' goal. Firstly, was Abada even in an offside position? Secondly, he was 'passive' although as Brian Clough once said, 'if you're not interfering with play you shouldn't be on the pitch.' Seems fine to me given the current rules. pic.twitter.com/VxIFY2ZruQ
— Lisbon Lion (@tirnaog_09) February 10, 2022
Speaking on Sportscene, the balanced Stewart said: “You’ve got to say credit to Celtic for getting themselves back in front but there is a huge element of controversy. I do think Liel Abada is in an offside positon and he affects the game. Celtic let themselves down and let Aberdeen into the game.”
He said: “If you look right across the line here, you can see Abada is offside. When the ball comes back into the box, he blocks David Bates from getting back to challenge Jota. I do think if Abada isn’t there then Bates would have been able to challenge and maybe flick the ball away.
“It’s good play from Celtic to react so quickly but I don’t think the goal should have stood. There was one in the first half though when Jota was flagged offside when he went and knocked the ball past the goalkeeper. I think he was probably onside in that one so perhaps they have balanced themselves out in that game. But you can understand why Aberdeen were raging at that moment.”
Honestly don't know why I didn't look at this earlier, but Abada literally isn't even offside 🤣 pic.twitter.com/WSrQDjc8WT
— The Celtic Way (@TheCelticWay3) February 10, 2022
Credit where credit is due to Michael Stewart. Those who pedal the Ibrox BBC narrative won’t have liked his opinion on it, but that’s to be expected from a national broadcaster that is only interested in one team from Glasgow. Stewart has clashed with the very same broadcaster in the past for his accurate and scathing assessment of the former Ibrox PR man and former BBC employee, Jim Traynor.
In all the mess of was Abada on or offside, we seem to have missed the fact Bates tries to take is fuckin head clean off…
Thats as unnatural an arm movement your likely to get there pic.twitter.com/5LXBddWAEQ
— The Celtic Way (@TheCelticWay3) February 10, 2022
Stewart is very open and honest when it comes to his views on the game in Scotland. Sometimes he’s right and sometimes he’s wrong. That’s just the way it is, a game of opinions. But he has never ascribed to the view that anything negative about theRangers everyone should keep shtum. Balance should be at the heart of judgement in Scottish football, if not, it just turns into a farce.
🗣️ ‘It’s pretty clear that David Bates would have been able to challenge…’
Sportscene looks at Celtic’s winner against Aberdeen, and whether it should have been flagged as offside ⚽️⤵️ pic.twitter.com/qdmvTTBpnu
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) February 10, 2022
Pundits debating Celtics 3rd. It was a good goal.
Ignoring Celtic's disallowed goal. It was a good goal.
Ignoring Aberdeen's 1st. Starfelt fouled.
Aberdeen's 2nd. Starfelt fouled.
Every marginal decision we get is scrutinised, if we don't get them, ignored.
Clear agenda. 😏😏😏— Martin Mc1967 SAY NO TO RACISM (@Martinmc1967) February 10, 2022
