Daizen Maeda’s red card for Celtic against Athletico Madrid last night really has caught the headlines today.
From Brendan Rodgers being furious at the referee for being influenced by the crowd to Greg Taylor saying his teammate was trying to protect himself, there had been various opinions on a decision that, arguably, turned the game on its head.
However, Atletico manager, Diego Simeone, was strangely cagey about the decision and he didn’t want to get drawn in on any debate but he did offer this to say about it.
Simeone said [Mundo Deportivo print edition page 15], “I saw the foot from afar, they went tenaciously to every ball and they called him because he lifted his foot more than due.”
Or maybe Mario Hermoso simply kicked Maeda in the follow-through after the challenge? I suppose now it doesn’t really matter as the game is over and Celtic find themselves licking their wounds.
The 6-0 defeat was their biggest loss in Europe since Barcelona dealt a 7-1 thrashing back in 2017. The only source of comfort I suppose the Celtic fans can take is this.
Brendan Rodgers was the manager then and he led that team to an Invincibles season. Although a treble is no longer on, the Hoops are on course to retain the title after an unbeaten start and the Scottish Cup is still up for grabs.
Am I grasping at straws trying to draw a positive out of last night? You bet I am. Because there is still a lot for the Celtic support to be excited about this season.
Aberdeen await a battered and bruised Celtic and there is no doubt Barry Robson will be wary of the inevitable backlash that the Hoops team will be looking to deliver to boost their dented confidence.
Two games remain in the Champions League and although qualification into the last 16 is now virtually impossible, the Europa League spot is still up for grabs.
So there is still a lot to play for at this moment in time for Brendan Rodgers’ side. They just need to pick themselves up and get back on the winning horse again.
In other news, Ally McCoist says Diego Simeone did something ’embarrassing’ straight after beating Celtic last night (tbrfootball