Bobby Madden addresses three huge Celtic vs Rangers calls

Bobby Madden offered his take on the three major Celtic vs Rangers decisions at Hampden <i>(Image: Premier Sports)</i>
Bobby Madden offered his take on the three major Celtic vs Rangers decisions at Hampden (Image: Premier Sports)
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Former referee Bobby Madden has issued his verdict on the three major decisions in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final between Celtic and Rangers.

Thelo Aasgaard was sent off for a late challenge on Anthony Ralston in the first half as he attempted to control the ball.

Auston Trusty then escaped a possible red card as he caught Jack Butland on the head after the goalkeeper had collected the ball.

Rangers were awarded a penalty in the second half, which was scored by James Tavernier, after Ralston was penalised for a handball as he dived to try and block the ball.

For Madden, referee Nick Walsh got two out of the three decisions correct, but should have produced a red card for Trusty's flashpoint with Butland.

On Aasgaard's straight red, he wrote: "Correct red card.

"No intent, but the actions endangered the safety of the opponent. Serious foul play."

On Trusty's yellow card, which was confirmed by VAR, Madden stated the defender should have been sent off for violent conduct.

On Instagram, he wrote: "Missed red card.

"No opportunity to play the ball. Deliberate act and makes contact with the face. Violent conduct."


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Madden agreed with the decision to award Rangers a penalty for handball against Ralston. But he was also satisfied by the decision not to caution Ralston, which would have resulted in a red card.
He explained: "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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