REO HATATE is to blame for Celtic not being awarded a stick-on penalty-kick is the 3-1 Premier Sports League Cup semi-final triumph over Ibrox opposition at Hampden on Sunday.
By now, dear reader, there is every likelihood you have have already witnessed reruns and images of the Japanese playmaker being clattered by Rangers’ Mikey Moore in the first period of extra-time.
Previously, it appeared referee Nick Walsh had adopted a somewhat benevolent attitude to incidents in the box as was witnessed by his decision to unhesitatingly point to the spot when a toppling and unsuspecting Anthony Ralston was punished for handling the ball.
There were only nine minutes of regulation time to go and a grateful James Tavernier accepted the gift to whip a drive behind Kasper Schmeichel to throw his side a lifeline and take the game into an added-on half-hour.
COLLISION COURSE…Reo Hatate is bowled over by Mikey Moore in an unnoticed incident at Hampden last weekend. Image X.
The VAR double-act of Steven McLean and Andrew Dallas backed the judgement of the onfield official after a brief review.
So, with that fresh in your mind, you may have expected a similar speedy reaction on and off the field after Hatate had been clearly taken out of play by a wayward lunge from his opponent.
It went unnoticed by many at the match and watching on TV and the Premier Sports satellite cameras ignored the flattening of the Japanese midfielder.
There were no replays from every conceivable angle that may well have highlighted Celtic were due a penalty-kick. Or at least a review of the untoward occurrence that saw the Hoops player bowled over.
Why would that be the case?
Hatate is clearly culpable. The Celt jumped straight back to his feet to get on with the game. Does a player who has performed in the Scottish game for almost four years not realise it is de rigueur – almost demanded, in fact – to roll around the area looking as though he had just taken the full brunt of a wrecking ball?
BEST FEET FORWARD…Reo Hatate and Mikey Moore in another challenge for the ball.
Clutching the head is just about guaranteed to attract the attention of officials, the one with the whistle or those in front of screens. A few rolls from the stricken player and some screams of agony normally get the job done.
The game is halted and that gives the TV guys the opportunity to display the incident again as they fill in some down time. The talking heads are usually brought in at this stage to give their considered opinion.
I have no idea what goes on in the VAR studios is Glasgow and for the sake of my remaining vestige of sanity I am going to keep it that way.
But such a halt in play would surely have forced them to review the situation. Or maybe they would have taken the opportunity for another tea break. Who knows?
However, due to the sportsmanship – and dreadful lack of acting skills – of Hatate the moment passed by in the blink of an eye.
Former SFA referees Des Roache and Steve Conroy later looked at the incident in ‘The Ref’s View’ on X and stated that it “is a clear penalty. At the very least, it should have been reviewed.”
Of course, there was no penalty-kick. And there was no review.
We are left with just one conclusion. Hatate really has to work on his theatrical ability. We all acknowledge the skills of the international playmaker – even though we don’t see enough of them these days – but he urgently requires to brush up on this serious deficiency within his range of qualities.
Does Reo really have to be such a good sport?
ALEX GORDON
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