ON-LOAN Celtic midfielder Liam Shaw was involved in a controversial flashpoint incident in the English Cup last night.
With his club Wigan trailing 1-0 to Manchester United at the DW Stadium, the young Hoops ace slid in to challenge Bruno Fernandes in the penalty box in the 74th minute.
The Portuguese midfielder had just accepted a pass from Marcus Rashford and chopped inside Shaw. There was minimal contact as the Old Trafford side’s skipper tumbled to the ground.
GROUNDED…Bruno Fernandes topples to the turf after Liam Shaw’s challenge.
Referee Anthony Taylor had an excellent view and pointed to the spot. It was a contentious award and Fernandes dusted himself down before sending keeper Sam Tickle the wrong way to seal the victory.
It was rough for ex-Celtic hero Shaun Maloney and his players at the League One outfit who had played well up until that crucial turning point.
Diego Dalot had put the visitors ahead in the 22nd minute with a superb low drive and Erik ten Hag’s team will now face a trip to either fourth-tier Newport County or Eastleigh of the National League.
Maloney, who won the FA Cup with Wigan 11 years ago when James McCarthy also played, reflected on the spot-kick decision and told ITV: “There is contact and with that type of tackle I can see why the referee gave it. No complaints.
FLASHPOINT…Liam Shaw (right) joins the protests to referee Anthony Taylor after the penalty-kick award.
“I’m proud of my players. When you play an opponent that has that much talent in the final third, it’s very hard to then press.
“I was really happy with our players. There were moments early and in these games, you have to take those chances.
“In fairness, Manchester United had a lot of chances as well. It was a difficult match but a brilliant experience for our players.”
Twenty-two-year-old Shaw’s temporary deal expires at the end of the season. The anchorman arrived from Sheffield Wednesday in the summer of 2021 and has already had loan spells at Motherwell and Morecambe.
He has made only two starts at the Hoops and is under contract until June 2025.
