INTERESTING to see Motherwell’s Elliot Watt hammered with a four-game ban following comments after Celtic’s penalty-kick award in the champions’ 3-2 win at Fir Park on Wednesday May 13.
The contest, of course, ended in uproar when referee John Beaton, after a quickfire review of a handball incident concerning Sam Nicholson in an aerial duel with Auston Trusty, returned to the pitch and unhesitatingly pointed to the spot.
Andrew Dallas, in charge of VAR, had spotted the infringement and the onfield match official agreed following an examination on the touchline monitor, scrutiny that didn’t even last 20 seconds.
Kelechi Iheanacho stepped forward with his usual composure and swept the points-clincher low past keeper Callum Ward.
YOU NEED HANDS…Motherwell defender Sam Nicholson is caught on camera as he challenges Auston Trusty to a high ball that resulted in Kelechi Iheanacho’s penalty-kick winner at Fir Park.
The strike meant the champions could clinch their fifth successive title when they played Hearts at Parkhead on the upcoming Saturday.
In the immediate aftermath, Watt took to social media to brand it “the worst VAR decision in history.”
For their part in the controversy, Motherwell were fined £5,000 after the player and the club were both given separate notices of complaint over a breach of Disciplinary Rule 72.
Ill-advisably, the club had posted a video to their media, with an accompanying post which read: “As the world of football mocks our game, we simply have to draw a line in the sand and shift the focus.”
On the same evening, Hearts had eased past Falkirk 3-0 to remain in pole position, but they had to wait until the dramatic conclusion in North Lanarkshire.
Derek McInnes couldn’t hide his disappointment at Celtic’s late victory and, live on Sky Sports, gave his erudite summation of the penalty-kick award.
“Disgusting,” he moaned. “We are up against everybody. I don’t think it’s a penalty.”
‘DISGUSTING’….Derek McInnes faces a touchline ban after outburst.
Wee Derek, of course, switched allegiances in the summer when he vamoosed out of the capital to replace RB Salzburg-bound Danny Rohl at Ibrox.
Now he could make history at the Govan club.
With the governing body deciding to flex their muscles at Watt and Well, the newcomer must be shaking in his brown brogues.
McInnes has also been charged for his slightly over-the-top reaction to the penalty.
However, he will have to wait until Wednesday to learn his fate.
If Watt can cop a four-game suspension for claiming it was “the worst VAR decision in history”, what can Wee Derek expect for insisting it was “disgusting” and “we are up against everybody”?
The new Govan gaffer may find himself sitting in the stand instead of patrolling the touchline when his new side launch their Premiership campaign against Dundee United on Friday July 31.
Kicking off his Rangers managerial career with a ban – a first for the club – is possibly not how Wee Derek envisaged the beginning of this chapter of his career.
What’s that old proverb about empty vessels?
ALEX GORDON
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