FORMER Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher insists match official Euan Anderson called it right with his red card for Aberdeen striker Sam Cosgrove in his side’s 2-1 loss to Celtic at Parkhead at the weekend.
The towering English forward was dismissed for a wayward challenge on defender Kristoffer Ajer shortly after Odsonne Edouard had netted the Hoops’ eventual winner.
Dons boss Derek McInnes insisted it was a “brilliant” tackle and accused the Norwegian of “laughing” at his player when the ref took swift action.
ON THE RUN…Kristoffer Ajer races away from James Wilson in the 2-1 win.
The Pittodrie club have now appealed against the sending-off and will learn their fate after the hearing at Hampden this evening.
But ex-top flight whistler Gallagher offered his expert opinion and, speaking on Sky Sports News, said: “I think the referee judges the distance he’s come and the speed.
“There’s no doubt he gets the ball. He touches the ball. I think the referee sees him coming so far and lunges in.
“He’s given it for serious foul play.”
Cosgrove, the Dons’ top scorer netted his 20th strike of the season when he levelled Christopher Jullien’s opener, has previous against the champions.
He was red-carded following a stamping incident on skipper Scott Brown in a Hoops win at Pittodrie last year.
