Red card was clear cut, insists Gallagher
FORMER English Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher claims no one could argue about Scott Brown’s red card in Dingwall — as Celtic prepare a formal appeal.
The Parkhead captain will be free to face Rangers in Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final as the Easter holidays mean the SFA are not able to complete a ‘fast-track’ appeals process in time.
The governing body’s Hampden offices were closed yesterday, losing a ‘working day’ for appeal submissions and evidence to be submitted. A judicial panel will not convene to hear Brown’s case until Thursday, April 27.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers offered no complaint about Brown’s dismissal in the immediate aftermath of the hugely controversial 2-2 draw with Ross County, but added a caveat that he would have to see the challenge on Liam Boyce again.
There is the potential for the midfielder’s two-match ban for serious foul play to be extended should the Judicial Panel deem the appeal to be ‘frivolous’.
Analysing the incident for Sky Sports, Gallagher insisted referee Don Robertson was on solid ground with the red card he produced.
However, the 59-year-old could also understand why Brown lost his composure after Alex Schalk’s blatant dive to win a last-gasp penalty and an earlier clash with Boyce.
‘Scott Brown is upset about the penalty and he gets taken down by Liam Boyce,’ said ex-FIFA list official Gallagher.
‘Of all the players, Liam Boyce is then there again when the ball comes out and Scott goes through him.
‘I fully accept he is frustrated after the penalty, which is 100 per cent not a penalty. I can also see he is upset by the tackle on him. I accept that.
‘But it has all come too quickly. There is no calming down period. Unfortunately, he has made this tackle. Everybody would agree it is a red card.
‘It is one of those things where it has boiled up and boiled up and boiled up. You talk about things simmering, but this has boiled over.’
Should a two-game ban be upheld, Brown would sit out the Premiership visit to Ibrox on Saturday, April 29 and Celtic’s home meeting with St Johnstone seven days later.
Robertson and Brown will be reunited at Hampden on Sunday as the official is scheduled to play the role of additional assistant referee in the semi-final.
His decision to award a penalty after Schalk tumbled without any contact from Erik Sviatchenko drew fierce criticism.
‘The boy falls and he gives a penalty, which was incredible,’ said Rodgers at full-time.
‘It’s an embarrassing decision at this level.’
Asked if Schalk was guilty of simulation, Rodgers added: ‘Is it cheating?
‘It is. Let’s not fudge it and beat about the bush. That’s what it is.’
Gallagher admitted there could be no credible case for the defence for Schalk — all but certain to face a two-game ban — or Robertson in the high-profile incident. ‘The biggest mistake I ever made in refereeing was making a decision before it actually happened,’ he added. ‘You can’t do that. ‘It was not a foul. ‘And, in Scotland, they have the retrospective punishment (for diving).’