The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Angry Bhoys:
Stuart Armstrong leads the Celtic protests as referee Don Robertson’s decision to award Ross County a last-minute penalty after a dive from Alex Schalk, right, left the visitors stunned in yesterday’s 2-2 Scottish Premiership draw at Dingwall. Liam Boyce netted the resultant penalty to level the scores and there was still time for Celtic captain Scott Brown to be sent off for a challenge on the penalty scorer.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers hit out at referee Don Robertson’s “embarrassing” decision to award Ross County a late penalty and blamed him for losing control of the game ahead of Scott Brown’s late red card.
Brown was sent off for a wild challenge on Liam Boyce moments after the County striker had sealed a 2-2 draw with a last-minute spot-kick after Alex Schalk’s blatant dive.
The Celtic skipper looked set to miss Sunday’s William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers through suspension, but it is understood Celtic will appeal and the hearing will be heard on April 27, a week later than normal because of the Easter holidays, meaning he will be available for the Hampden clash.
But Rodgers was still fuming at the decision to award a spot-kick as Schalk got in front of Erik Sviatchenko and threw himself to the ground, despite no contact whatsoever.
“There is no danger, but the referee absolutely takes the points away from us,” the former Liverpool boss said.
“I have seen some bad decisions up here since I’ve been at Celtic, but that is the worst.
“He is right in front of it and there is clearly no contact.
“Sometimes a ref can be conned into it a bit if Erik stretches his leg or dangles his foot. That can sometimes invite it, but he never did that. He moved his foot out of the way. The boy falls and he gives a penalty, which was incredible.
“It’s an embarrassing decision at this level.”
County boss Jim McIntyre claimed Schalk went down because he anticipated contact, but the Dutchman looks set for a two-match ban from SFA compliance officer Tony McGlennan.
Rodgers said: “Is it cheating? It is. Let’s not fudge and beat about the bush. That’s what it is.
“You see it in the game, but the referee lost control of the game, which led to the penalty and the sending-off. It wasn’t very good officiating.
“I didn’t speak to the referee afterwards on the pitch. It wasn’t the time or place. But I’ll definitely speak to him if he lets the lock off his door.”
Kieran Tierney gave Celtic a 34thminute lead with a long-range strike, but County started the second half well and Michael Gardyne headed an equaliser. Celtic took control of the game after Rodgers brought on Leigh Griffiths and Cristian Gamboa and switched from a three-man central defence to a flat back four and another substitute, Patrick Roberts, put them ahead with 12 minutes left after some great skill.
They looked set to see out the game until Schalk’s theatrics, but McIntyre defended his player’s character.
“You can clearly see Sviatchenko is going to make a challenge and Alex expecting it’s coming and he is on his way down expecting the contact,” he said.
“Sviatchenko, being the good defender that he is, doesn’t overcommit, pulls his leg back and Alex goes down.
“We certainly don’t encourage players to go down without any contact, what I’m saying to you is he’s expecting contact and the contact doesn’t come.
“Does it look good? No, it certainly does not. It’s not a penalty. So I can totally understand Celtic’s frustration.
“We have had several against us this season which we have had to suck up and take. It’s hard when the decision goes against you.”
The point takes County up to eighth place, three clear of second-bottom Dundee, who fill the play-off place. Attendance: 6,205. Ross Co: Fox, Tumility (Schalk 84), Naismith, Davies, Fraser, van der Weg, Gardyne (Franks 90), Chow, O’Brien (Routis 85), Dow, Boyce. Subs not used: Curran, Lalkovic, McCarey, Dykes.
Celtic: Gordon, Simunovic, Sviatchenko, Tierney, Forrest (Roberts 69), McGregor, Armstrong, Brown, Rogic (Gamboa 63), Sinclair, Dembele (Griffiths 63). Subs not used: Toure, Izaguirre, Bailly, Eboue.
Referee: Don Robertson.