Celtic 1 Aberdeen 0
SCOTT SINCLAIR’S back heel broke the deadlock at Celtic Park this afternoon and broke Bobby Madden’s heart. The referee could think of no reason quickly enough to deny Celtic the goal. The irony that Sinclair was only on the pitch because of an injury to Odsonne Edouard was lost on no-one.
Madden ignored a two footed waist high lunge on the French striker by the Aberdeen central defender Scott McKenna to deny Celtic a penalty kick in the first half. It was astonishing decision by the official who also denied Ayr United a stonewaller at Ibrox in midweek when the home side was a goal ahead. Madden’s got previous of course – we all recall the Clint Hill Two footed take out of Leigh Griffiths in the closing minutes of a Glasgow Derby when the scores were level. Well today Madden outdone himself by denying an even more blatant penalty and red card offence. It was astonishing.
Then after Edouard had treatment and was limping to the touch line Madden raced over and acted like an aggressive nightclub bouncer trying to prevent access to the premises. He wanted the injured player to leave the park behind the Aberdeen goal.
Edouard came back on but limped around and was replaced by Sinclair just before the interval. The Englishman was lost his mojo but that back-heel today followed by his sprint along the front of the Jock Stein stand to celebrate in the corner was a joy to behold. You could see the weight of the word lift from his shoulders and for the next few minutes Paradise sang his song in triumph and celebration.
A word for the defence – Jack Hendry and the sponsors man of the Match Dedryck Boyata was solid and added to the attack throughout the match – but Kieran Tierney was simply awesome.
As Aberdeen pressed near the end Tierney won everything and the last of these changed a 50/50 challenge at the edge of the Celtic area into sending Leigh Griffiths in on the keeper – he dinked it over Joe Lewis but it went inches wide.
Madden blew the whistle and Celtic had the win but it was no thanks to a referee who yet again denied Celtic – the days of the honest mistake are back.
Well done to the Celtic DJ who is played Rod Stewart’s Grace before the game and again at half-time.
Man of the Match – Kieran Tierney
