Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd did not hold back in his scathing critique of referee Nick Walsh and VAR official Don Robertson after Celtic’s controversial win.
Boyd was incensed that Reo Hatate escaped a red card for a tackle many deemed reckless.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Boyd left no room for ambiguity.
“It’s a red card. It’s a red card. It’s a red card. All day long. You can’t catch a player that far up a leg and turn round and say sorry and hope to get away with it.
“He catches him below the knee. Just below the knee. It’s impossible not to get sent off there. So the referee gets it wrong on the pitch and Don Robertson gets it wrong in the VAR room. That’s a red card all day long.”
Boyd’s fury was echoed by James McFadden, who agreed Hatate should have been sent off. Their consensus stood in stark contrast to Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes’s measured take.
While McInnes admitted the tackle appeared high, he felt the yellow card was sufficient given the apparent lack of force.
“When it goes to VAR, I’m sure the pictures didn’t look good, but in terms of force, I’m not sure it was a red card to be honest,” McInnes said post-match.
The divided opinions highlight the subjective nature of such decisions, with Walsh’s call unlikely to be classified as a clear and obvious error.
Yet Boyd’s passionate outburst underscores the belief, particularly among Rangers supporters, that Hatate was fortunate to remain on the pitch.
This incident will no doubt fuel further debate as fans and pundits dissect the match’s key talking points. For Celtic, the result moves them forward, but the controversy surrounding Hatate’s tackle remains unresolved.
The Kilmarnock-Celtic Match Incident (KMI) report due Friday should shed more light on what many see as a contentious decision.