‘Let him go’: Celtic v Rangers red card verdict delivered by former EPL ref

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Celtic manager Neil Lennon was unimpressed with Bobby Madden

As is often the case with derbies in Glasgow, the debate over controversial decisions shows no signs of slowing down over 48 hours after the full-time whistle.

Celtic were the better side during the first 60 minutes, but Nir Bitton’s red card changed the course of the game.

Within eight minutes of the Israeli’s dismissal Rangers were ahead thanks to a Callum McGregor own goal, and that proved to be the game’s only goal.

After watching his side fall 19 points behind Rangers in the title race, Celtic boss Neil Lennon told Sky Sports: “The referee has made the wrong decision and it’s changed the course of the game.

“It’s not a sending off, it’s a foul, we’ve got Ajer coming in on the cover and Morelos is in a wide position.

“It’s not a clear and obvious goalscoring opportunity – he might get a shot off but he’s certainly not clear through on goal.

“I think he (Bobby Madden) was too quick to get the red card out.”

That view is not shared, however, by former English Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher.

Reflecting on the incident for Sky Sports, he said: “I watched this game live and I thought he’d get sent off.

“Once (Alfredo) Morelos is past, he’ll go straight towards goal and the law says ‘Has he a goalscoring opportunity?’.

“That means can he get a shot away at goal, and I would suggest he would get a shot away at goal long before (Kris) Ajer gets across because he’s parallel and there’s a great distance between them.

“It’s a challenge Bitton doesn’t need to make. Once you make a challenge like that you know it’s going to be a red card. I sometimes think a player should let him go and take a chance on the goalkeeper making a save or the player missing.

“For me, it’s a red card.”

Rangers have a chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premiership to 22 points when they face Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday. Celtic are next in action the following night when they play host to Hibs.