Celtic exited the League Cup this afternoon at Rugby Park as a number of factors played their part in the loss. Derek McInnes’ team were worthy winners and defended resolutely in their quest for progression to the Quarter Finals. Whilst Celtic were not anywhere near their best, they will feel aggrieved that they were not awarded an injury-time penalty when Sead Haksabanovic was fouled by Lewis Mayo.
There was an outcry from the Celtic players on the pitch and those behind the goal as they pleaded with Alan Muir to point to the spot. Replays indicated that Mayo caught Haksabanovic’s right foot and the expectation was that Don Robertson would tell Muir about this, prompting a check on the monitor at the side of the pitch.
Anywhere else on the pitch, that is a foul. Celtic appear to have been denied a stonewaller. Although, for all that this is a relevant point to raise, Celtic weren’t good enough on the day and failed to create enough openings in the game to earn progression to the next round.
Derek McInnes was moaning about a penalty that he didn’t get back in January earlier this week and that may have been playing a part in the reluctance of Robertson to call for Muir to have a second look.