Celtic will face theRangers in the 2022/23 League Cup Final at Hampden next month. The holders dispatched Kilmarnock at Hampden on Saturday whilst Rangers had to go to extra-time to beat ten-men Aberdeen the following day.
Much has been made of the flashpoint at the end of the 90 minutes between Celtic and Killie where Giorgos Giakoumakis clashed with Joe Wright. Pundits have weighed in, managers are still upset and fans had their say on whether it was a spot-kick or not (it isn’t). Although, you would be forgiven for not realising that there was another incident that was not worthy of discussion – not Reo Hatate’s goal that may have been a penalty. Instead, Ryan Kent’s swipe at Liam Scales’ face in the closing stages of the second semi-final.
If that isn’t a punch I don’t know what is pic.twitter.com/OBxqFbQwat
— Mixu99 (@archigoles) January 15, 2023
Having watched it in real-time, it looked as if the Englishman had aimed a fist toward the Celtic loanee. However, replays suggest that it was an arm that caught Scales and with some force, causing the 24-year-old to go down holding his face. Aberdeen, then down to ten men after Stewart’s dismissal, are rightfully deturbed that they didn’t have parity going into extra time as Kent could have seen red for this action.
Michael Beale has come out to defend Kent. Although, footage suggests there was more going on than the forward merely trying to get away from Scales. Fans have called for the incident to be looked at by the Compliance Officer. Whilst, Nick Walsh awarded a free-kick, he didn’t consult with VAR to see whether there was possible serious foul play. Much of the VAR decisions are subjective, on one view there is a red card and on another it can be seen as a yellow. In any case, Kent was very lucky to avoid punishment for what appeared to be a petulant hitout at Scales.
Scales, meanwhile, will hope that his spell in Aberdeen will improve his chances of either forging a permanent move to the North East or forcing himself into Ange Postecoglou’s plans for the seasons ahead.
