CELTIC’s semi-final win over Rangers at Hampden this afternoon wasn’t short of talking points.
The Hoops rallied from the shock of losing manager Brendan Rodgers at the start of the week to see off their old rivals to reach the final.
Goals from Johnny Kenny, Callum McGregor and Callum Osmand proved too much for Rangers who had taken the tie into extra time after James Tavernier’s penalty equaliser.
And while the Hoops fans can now look forward to a return to Hampden on December 14 and a final match-up with St Mirren, Rangers fans have been left to stew over what might have been.
There were several controversial talking points throughout the game – with most of them centring on the calls made by ref Nick Walsh and his team of officials.
Former ref Bobby Madden has long since hung up his whistle.
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But he still cast an expert eye over the big decisions including the red card shown to Thelo Aasgaard that left Rangers to play the entirety of the second half and extra-time with 10 men.
Nick Walsh also chose to flash yellow rather than red to Auston Trusty for leaving the boot in on Jack Butland, catching the Gers goalie on the head just before half-time.
And there was no second booking either for Tony Ralston despite his handball that led to Rangers’ penalty.
And Madden – who felt the derby was “a decent watch for a change” – reckons it was a case of two right and one wrong from Walsh.
On the Aasgaard red card for a high boot on Ralston, he wrote on his Instagram page: “Correct red card.
“No intent, but the actions endangered the safety of the opponent. Serious foul play.”
But Madden felt Trusty should also have been heading for an early bath and got off lightly with just a booking.
He added: “Missed red card. No opportunity to play the ball. Deliberate act and makes contact with the face. Violent conduct.”
There was praise for Walsh for spotting Ralston’s handball – and said no yellow card was the RIGHT call.
He added: “Referee does well to identify this. If you throw yourself at the ball and the ball strikes the arm outside the body it has to be a penalty kick.
“It stopped being a mandatory yellow card offence two seasons ago so no caution is correct.”
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