Former Referee Backs Decision to Deny Kilmarnock Penalty in Dramatic Celtic Clash
Ex-SFA official Des Roache has weighed in on the controversial penalty shout during Celtic’s recent 3-2 victory over Kilmarnock, explaining why he believes the referee was correct to let play continue.
The match at Rugby Park ended in dramatic fashion, with Julian Araujo netting a last-minute winner to secure all three points for the Bhoys. However, the outcome could have been very different had Kilmarnock been awarded a spot-kick following a challenge by Celtic captain Callum McGregor on Brad Lyons inside the area.
While the appeal was quickly brushed aside by Celtic legend Chris Sutton, Roache provided a more technical breakdown of why the claim didn’t hold water.
“It’s a Contact Sport”
At the time of the incident, the score was deadlocked at 0-0. Given that Kilmarnock eventually surged into a 2-0 lead shortly after the appeal, a converted penalty could have drastically altered the match’s momentum. Despite this, Roache remains firm that no foul occurred.
Speaking on The Ref’s View, Roache dismissed the idea that every collision warrants a whistle:
- Natural Collision: Roache described the incident as a “natural coming together” rather than a deliberate foul.
- The Physicality Factor: He emphasized that while contact was made, it didn’t meet the threshold for a penalty.
- Not a Non-Contact Game: In a pointed comparison, Roache noted, “Football is a contact sport. We’re not playing basketball here, we’re not playing volleyball. We’re not on separate sides where you can’t touch.”
The Road Ahead: Celtic’s Title Charge
This narrow escape keeps Celtic firmly in the hunt during one of the tightest title races in recent memory. Currently, only three points separate the top three teams—Celtic, Rangers, and Hearts.
The next few weeks are set to be a defining period for Martin O’Neill and his squad. Celtic faces a grueling stretch of fixtures that could determine the destination of the Scottish Premiership trophy:
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, Feb 22 | Hibernian | Home |
| Sunday, March 1 | Rangers | Away |
| Wed, March 4 | Aberdeen | Away |
If the Hoops can navigate these three matches with a perfect record, they will likely head into the April top-six split with a massive psychological advantage and the top spot in the table.
