Celtic drew 2-2 with Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Sunday.
Former referee Dermot Gallagher
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has told Sky Sports that he thinks Celtic’s Erik Sviatchenko should have been sent off against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
The Bhoys were looking to bounce back from their 7-0 midweek humiliation at the hands of Barcelona, and started well against Inverness as Tom Rogic gave them the lead.
Celtic’s Erik Sviatchenko
However, Inverness hit back through former Rangers loanee Billy King, and whilst Scott Sinclair put Celtic back in front, Inverness equalised again as Alex Fisher scored late on.
Celtic will be disappointed to have dropped two points, but Inverness have been left fuming with a decision made whilst the game was finely poised at 1-1.
With Ross Draper clean through on goal with the chance to put Inverness 2-1 up, Danish defender Erik Sviatchenko brought Draper down. The referee didn’t award anything and Sviatchenko stayed on the pitch, robbing Inverness of a goalscoring chance and possibly facing ten men.
Erik Sviatchenko celebrates after scoring the first goal for Celtic
The decision left Inverness fans, players and staff bewildered as Sviatchenko clearly brought Draper down, and former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has offered his opinion on the situation.
Gallagher told Sky Sports that he believes referee Don Robertson made an ‘error of judgement’, as there’s undoubted contact from Sviatchenko on Draper, with no possibility of simulation involved.
Former referee Dermot Gallagher
Gallagher added the felt it was a foul and a straight red card, meaning that whilst Celtic will be deflated having conceded late on, they may have actually got lucky against Inverness.
“It was an error of judgement I think,” said Gallagher. “I think it’s a foul and a red card. There’s no doubt that there’s physical contact, so he hasn’t simulated. The referee thinks he’s won the ball, but he hasn’t, it’s too far in front of him. I think it’s wrong, I think it’s a foul and a red card,” he added.
What did you think of Sviatchenko’s tackle against Inverness?
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