JOHN KENNEDY hit out at Old Firm novice Nick Welsh as he laid responsibility for Celtic’s heaviest derby defeat in 13 years at the feet of the debutant referee.
The Hoops crashed to a 4-1 loss at Ibrox after having Callum McGregor sent off just 26 minutes into the game.
The Scotland midfielder had only collected his first caution for a trip on Ryan Kent three minutes before.
Welsh waved play on as McGregor then crunched into Glen Kamara in the build up to Kemar Roofe’s opener but returned to show the Hoops ace his second yellow as Gers celebrated.
It was a devastating double blow and while they did briefly level through Odsonne Edouard, Celtic were powerless to prevent Rangers racking up their biggest derby win since October 2007 as Alfredo Morelos, Roofe and Jermain Defoe piled on the misery.
After watching the fallen champions fail to register a single win over their bitter rivals a top-flight campaign for the first time in 21 years, interim boss Kennedy took aim at Welsh.
“Callum being sent off at the same time as Rangers score obviously swings the game in their favour,” he said. “We got ourselves back into it but in key moments we weren’t strong enough in defending our box.
“When we did have our chances, which are always going to be hard to come by with 10 men, we just couldn’t get the ball in the net.
“It was a bit of what we have been (all season) again – but made all the harder because of the decision to send Callum off.
“I think it’s a bad decision. Not the second one because he’s on a yellow and makes a tackle on the ground.
“I asked the referee for clarity at half-time on why he booked him for the first one. His words to me exactly were ‘it was a reckless challenge’. It wasn’t reckless, I’ve seen it. There was no malice, no intent in terms of any power behind the tackle.
“It was a big game for a young official who doesn’t have a lot of experience. He makes a very harsh call which costs us.
“Callum is gutted. He is the most disappointed man at Ibrox today.
“I feel for him because I don’t think he deserved it. Okay, he makes a decision to go to ground (for the second one) which he’ll learn from. But he shouldn’t have been in that position in the first place, he shouldn’t have had a yellow card earlier.”
The match was Scott Brown’s final Old Firm battle but, after 44 derby clashes, the curtain crashed down on top of the captain before he heads to Aberdeen in the summer.
But Kennedy said: “He won’t be judged on that. It’s not his fault. He has come here plenty of times and won. He’s won many, many more trophies than a lot of people on the pitch today.
“Scott has had a terrific time at Celtic. This shouldn’t be any sort of mark against him.”
Having racked up a blemish-free campaign against their old rivals, Steven Gerrard’s champions now just need to negotiate their final two games with Livingston and Aberdeen to complete an invincible league campaign.
The Ibrox boss said: “I’m really pleased with the performance.
“We started the game really well and picked a really aggressive and bold shape today as we wanted to go for Celtic’s throat.
“We did that and took the lead but unfortunately we were sloppy in terms of the equaliser.
“But then again it was us on the front foot forcing the issue and then Alfredo scored a fantastic second.
“When that was happening there was also a big moment with the red card – but it was the right call.
“So we’ve worked extremely hard for this victory and we certainly deserve the three points.
“This club is about success. Seven days ago I was sitting here really stung and hurt (after being knocked out the Scottish Cup) as we’d missed a big opportunity.
“But in terms of the league I can’t ask for any more. The consistency levels have been incredible.”
Is it just me or does anyone else think ROG & Keano would make great pals.
Their conversations would be nothing but, to quote Ronan, ‘pure, brutal honesty.’
That must have been like telling him that the sun was going to rise!
Some revelation – not!The world and his brother, sister, mother, father and dog would have known that. Why else would the AB’s speak about it so openly in front of Keano, when they’d have to assume he’d report it back to his fellow country- and countyman ROG at the first available chance – as of course he did.
Pity ye haven’t the same regard for our greatest ever no.10 as ye have for that friend of Prince Albert of Monaco whom ye adore in South Dublin. The man who got us over the line in our first slam for close to 70yrs is lambastes at ever chance. Well I love a straight talking rog whom despite his light stature never sheirked a tackle over a bono voiced boring South Dublin west Brit who will never offend anyone who will always stand on the fence.
Huh?
You’re a tool…. can’t they both be great ambassadors?
Philip, you are another flash. Pathetic.
Ah Phil don’t be like that, talking about your capital city in that manner.
ROG like Keane is a mouth piece!
Phil don’t be a bitter idiot. Where do these bitter fools come fm? Rog is from cork city and if he read this post by u he would be embarrassed . I bet you love in the sticks somewhere and just hate Dublin
Ah stop for the love of God. You’re an embarrassment to Munster fans, Philip.
Not sure about the West Brit ladyboy part, but Johnny is certainly a very attractive man
There was no slight to our, as you rightly say “our greatest ever 10″ intended at all. Cool your jets. All teams target whatever weakness they can find in the opposition’s armour. Tackling wasn’t RO’G's strongest suit – something he shares with a lot of outhalves; nothing wrong in that. Most Test players are good at some things, not so good at others. Only the odd exception is good at everything.
Keano was asked if he takes other sport’s coaching techniques on board when developing his skills, the anecdote clearly relates. It’s not as if he released a statement on it.
I’m getting fair sick of reading your crap at this stage
Too much sauce Philip. Too many chips on shoulder. ..shoulda had a kebab b4 posting
Are you talking about BOD from Clontarf in north Dublin?
Philip won’t ever let the truth get in the way of that large chip on his shoulder. Pity he doesn’t realise Rugby is a team spirt – O Gara kicked the score to win the slam, but he didn’t clear out the ruck just before it, or the one before it. Nor did he pass the ball to himself to kick it. The squad won that grand slam not any one player.
This comment goes out to Philip Ryan and Owen lydon, I like most others on this would really appreciate if ye would stop commenting on issues ye have 0 amount of knowledge on like rugby, thank you in advance
Yours,
Vast majority of “the score.ie” users
David, nice one. I was saying it this morning how boring P.Ryan and his rants were getting.
I’m guessing he’s a munster man like myself Gary, but he hasn’t a clue!! Especially when it comes to bod who has probably been the greatest rugby player to don the green jersey of Ireland
If only I had a time machine in order to get those last 30 seconds of my life back. Chewing gum for the soul stuff.
“He can’t’ tackle.” Been saying that for years, cant wait for Flash etc to come back with “Sure what do the All Blacks know about Rugby? What have they won? Munster ARE rugby”
ROG a great kicker, unfortunately rugby, especially playing fly half is more than just kicking.
ROG pales compared to Jonny Wilkinson, even Eric Elwood.
I think it was pretty much acknowledged by everyone (including himself) that tackling or physicality wasn’t his strong point, but as a tactician and game manager he was a grand master with few equals.
In fairness to Roy he said it up front, Other sporting books recently out could learn,
Lol this is a very funny article.
Would love to have been at that dinner