Neil McCann believes that Matt O’Riley’s dive won Celtic a soft penalty in their match against their ten-man rivals. Despite being already ahead 2-1, the Hoops were awarded a spot kick when O’Riley went down after a challenge from Mohamed Diomande. Although there were suggestions that the call should have gone the other way, referee Willie Collum stuck with his decision, which ultimately had no impact on the game as Jack Butland saved O’Riley’s penalty.
McCann, reviewing the incident for BBC Sportscene, argued that the contact was initiated by the Celtic player and hinted at a dive being involved. He described the play as soft and theatrical, believing that Diomande was actually fouled by O’Riley.
However, former Celtic midfielder Peter Grant disagreed, stating that O’Riley’s turn was fantastic and that there was no way he would have gone down without the touch from Diomande. Grant firmly believed that it was a clear penalty and that O’Riley was rightfully awarded the spot kick.
