The morning after the night before is always tough to look at for the Celtic fans when a Champions League hiding is dealt out.
Looking back and trying to salvage anything positive from a tough night is always difficult but there is no doubt that the Daizen Maeda red card that was dealt out midway through the first half was a game-changer.
Going down to ten men is always difficult but at Champions League level it is an almost impossible task. However, Greg Taylor has delivered his verdict on the red card and made a claim against Atletico Madrid’s, Mario Hermoso, that suggests the La Liga player was at fault for the challenge.
The red card left Brendan Rodgers fuming but it also left Taylor questioning the use of the VAR as well.
Taylor said [The Herald], “The actual tackle, the Atletico player goes in swinging so Daizen has then got to protect himself in terms to go and compete in the challenge.
“Once you go to a still image, it can look as bad as it did, I’m sure. So, I don’t know what the answer is going forward but I don’t see real benefit in what VAR is bringing right now.
“I think it’s difficult once it goes to a still image in that instance. It’s there to try and enhance the game and help the referees, but I think it’s a wee bit false when you show it alone like that.”
Daizen Maeda didn’t do himself, or Celtic, any favours
I love Maeda. He is a great player to have in your side. I have praised the Celtic winger on all fronts for his performances this season.
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And whilst I still believe that the red card he got last night was very harsh, he didn’t help his cause one bit.
Prior to the sending-off, the Japanese winger was involved in three fouls already and when you do that, you put yourself in the referee’s spotlight.
And of course, this isn’t the first time Maeda has seen red after a rash challenge. He was dismissed last season against Hibs at Easter Road after another rash challenge in an end-of-season game that Celtic eventually lost 4-2.
It’s an area of Maeda’s game that carries that risk. His speed can sometimes cause him to make rash challenges and it is something that, after last night, Brendan Rodgers needs to address.
In other news, ‘If I was a referee’s assessor’…Stuart Pearce delivers his verdict on Daizen Maeda’s Celtic red card