Celtic, a Late Penalty, and Media Outrage
A late Celtic penalty sparked a familiar storm of pundit outrage, with criticism aimed at the coverage rather than the decision itself. The focus is on consistency, credit, and basic objectivity.
WHEN Celtic WIN, THE MASKS SLIP
There was something revealing about the reaction to Celtic’s last-minute penalty last night. Not just from rival supporters, that’s expected in football, but from sections of the Scottish media and pundit class who once again exposed the deep-rooted bitterness they carry whenever Celtic come out on top.
The decision and the reaction
Let’s start with the facts: it was a penalty. Clear contact, clear foul, clear decision. The officials got it right. Yet you’d never know that listening to the outrage pouring from the Sky Sports panel afterwards. The hysteria was embarrassing.
Kris Boyd in particular looked absolutely raging. Not disappointed. Not debating. Furious. The kind of fury that only appears when Celtic benefit from a decision.
Consistency and hypocrisy
And that’s the point. When Celtic were on the receiving end of shocking calls against Hibs earlier this season, four major decisions going against us, Boyd was front and centre telling everyone we “have to trust the officials.” Suddenly that principle disappears the moment Celtic get a decision in their favour? The hypocrisy is staggering.
Then came John Robertson and Paul Hartley piling on with the same theatrical outrage. No balance. No perspective. No acknowledgement that the referee applied the laws of the game correctly. Just another media pile-on because Celtic won.
Where is the credit for Celtic?
And perhaps the biggest question of all: where was the credit for Celtic?
Once again, the champions-elect produce under pressure, fight until the final seconds, and show the mentality that has delivered sustained dominance for over a decade, yet the coverage became entirely about conspiracy, outrage and grievance. Why? Because too many in the Scottish football media simply cannot handle Celtic’s success.
That resentment has become impossible to hide.
Scrutiny, standards, and punditry
Which brings us to Derek McInnes and his “disgusting” remarks. Why exactly is McInnes even acting as some moral authority on a Celtic match? The irony is breathtaking.
The governing body also now faces an obvious question: if Brendan Rodgers could receive a ban this season for comments about officials, will McInnes face the same scrutiny? Or do the rules only apply selectively? Scottish football cannot claim consistency if one manager is punished while another is allowed to throw incendiary accusations around publicly without consequence.
The reality is that Celtic’s success has broken people. It has consumed pundits, columnists and former players who cannot stomach watching this club continue to dominate Scottish football. Every title hurts them more because it destroys the narrative they desperately try to push.
And that’s exactly why this championship would feel so sweet.
To win the league again while the likes of Boyd, McInnes, Alex Rae, Keith Jackson and Hugh Keevins rage themselves into knots would make it one of the most satisfying titles Celtic have ever won. Not because of rivalry, rivalry is healthy, but because of the sheer level of bitterness directed toward the club at every turn.
Sky Sports also need to take a serious look at the standard of analysis being broadcast. Punditry is supposed to offer insight, not emotional meltdowns driven by personal bias. Boyd’s constant anti-Celtic rhetoric has crossed the line from analysis into obsession. Supporters can disagree on decisions all day long, that’s football, but the inability of certain pundits to show even the slightest objectivity whenever Celtic are involved is becoming impossible to ignore.
Last night wasn’t just about a penalty. It was about exposure. The masks slipped yet again. And the more Celtic keep winning, the more unhinged the reaction becomes.
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