Hibernian manager Nick Montgomery has openly criticised the officiating team following his team’s 2-1 loss to Celtic, particularly questioning the decision-making by referee Nick Walsh.
Montgomery’s concerns centred around several key incidents that he believes significantly influenced the game’s outcome in Celtic’s favour.
The match saw Celtic emerge victorious with two penalties converted by Adam Idah. The first point of contention arose early in the game when Celtic was awarded a penalty after Nectarios Triantis and Alistair Johnston clashed heads, leading to Johnston’s early exit due to injury. He was hospitalised as a result of the challenge.
Montgomery suggested that a similar incident elsewhere on the pitch might not have resulted in a foul, implying a disparity in decision-making based on the location of the foul.
Montgomery also expressed his dissatisfaction with two other critical moments in the match. The booking of Martin Boyle for a dive, rather than awarding a penalty for Hibernian, was particularly contentious. Montgomery argued that there was contact on Boyle, and had VAR been consulted, it could have resulted in a penalty for Hibs.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “I thought we probably deserved to win the game. I don’t really need to say much because I think everybody can watch that live and make up their own minds up. I’ve seen some of the incidents and it’s just really disappointing.
“My thoughts are; the first one Nectar has gone up to try and win the header. Again, I’ll have to watch it again, but I think they’ve both gone up to win the header and if that happens anywhere else on the pitch, I think the ref just stops the game and possibly just gets treatment for the players and maybe a drop ball.
“Again, I’ve not seen it really close but I thought the second one, I didn’t know anyone who really thought that was a penalty including the fans or the Celtic players and then he goes over to the VAR.
“Then obviously Martin Boyle’s penalty. I think if someone calls him [Walsh] over to have a look at that then there’s contact. He has come in from behind and caught him on his thigh. So it doesn’t matter how he’s fallen down, if he goes over to look at it on VAR then it’s a penalty.”
