DON ROBERTSON was the man in the middle as Celtic cantered to a 4-0 win over Ross County, stretching the gap with Rangers at the Premiership’s summit to six points.
Two goals from Giorgos Giakoumakis and one from Daizen Maeda had Ange Posetcoglou’s side 3-0 up and cruising going into the break before the former sealed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the second half to wrap up a comprehensive victory.
The first incident of note for Robertson arrived after five minutes when Josip Juranovic and Regan Charles-Cook tussled for the ball. The Celtic defender fell to the floor and claimed for a free-kick, but Robertson was correct to ignore the Croatian’s pleas and award a corner to County.
There was then controversy as Robertson failed to award a penalty for the home side. A short corner was worked to Jota, who showed terrific footwork to skip past Joseph Hungbo. The Portuguese then dinked in a cross that appeared to strike the arm of Hungbo as the County midfielder raised it to block the ball, but the referee waved play on.
On 22 minutes, Kayne Ramsay flew in recklessly on Maeda and the Ross County man could count himself highly fortunate to escape without a booking. Robertson awarded the foul but left it at that.
Six minutes later, Robertson found himself with another big decision to make. Ramsay was once again the culprit, scything down Tom Rogic with a dangerous challenge where his second leg followed through. The official got it right this time, immediately brandishing a red card and sending the defender for an early bath.
The Celtic supporters wanted a free-kick as the game approached half-time when Giakoumakis found himself on the receiving end of a firm-but-fair challenge from Keith Watson, but Robertson correctly decided to play on.
There was a second hand ball shout shortly after the restart but this one was less clear-cut. A delivery from a Celtic corner saw the ball hoofed clear and as Charles-Cook motioned to control the loose ball, he lowered his chest to meet it. The home players immediately appealed for handball but Robertson was unmoved by their protests. On the balance of evidence, he was probably right to do so.
There was little doubt about the third penalty shout. Alex Iacovitti challenged for a header near the edge of the County box and as the ball fell, it struck the centre-half’s outstretched arm. Robertson pointed to the spot and was correct to do so.
The official didn’t find himself with too many other big decisions to make as the game’s intensity dipped as it wore on. Jack Baldwin was shown a yellow right at the death for a cynical challenge on Greg Taylor but could have few complaints.
All in all, it was a mixed bag for Robertson. Celtic should have been awarded a penalty in the first half that he missed and his decision to let Ramsay off without a booking was mystifying. From that point on, though, most of the whistler’s calls went the right way. He was right to send Ramsay off and correct to award a penalty for hand ball at the third time of asking.
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