It’s sometimes easy to write-off a refereeing decision, but there was an example tonight where it would actually be fascinating to know what the referee actually thought he saw.
Ryan Christie was in a good position in the box to attack a cross and get an effort on goal, so the Austria defender gets both arms round him and drags him to the ground:
Pictures from Sky Sports
He did have an incident earlier in the game when he went down easily and ended up getting booked for berating the ref, so perhaps that came into his thinking here and he held it against him.
The commentators also got it spot on when they said it’s a free kick anywhere else on the pitch, so it simply has to be given.
It was a mixed night for Christie because there were things to admire about his performance, but some of the old frustrations were also there.
READ MORE: The Celts Are Here as Scotland Gets the World Cup Qualifying Campaign Underway against Austria
He worked hard as you expect and he did manage to get a couple of good efforts away in the first half, but he also missed a big chance after a dreadful pass from the Austria keeper.
There were a few occasions where he actually turned his man and had the chance to drive at goal, but there was either a lack of pace, fitness or confidence that just seemed to hold him back and he wasn’t able to make more of those situations.
He looks like a player who just needs a goal or something to go right to help him rebuild his confidence and get back to his best, so hopefully that comes soon.
