James Penrice wasn’t even booked for a studs-up challenge in Rangers’ 1-0 League Cup semi-final win over Aberdeen on Saturday night, days after Colby Donovan’s tackle against Dundee United was picked apart.

Former referee Keith Hackett told Football Insider it “should have been red”. Ryan Naderi turned in Penrice’s shot seven minutes from time at Hampden to settle the tie.

In the first half, Penrice went in high on an Aberdeen player with his studs showing. Referee Ryan Lee let it go and VAR didn’t intervene. Hackett couldn’t believe VAR stayed out of it, and said Penrice had endangered his opponent.

See the full Celtic v Rangers head-to-head record on our derby page.

The Donovan comparison

Put that next to Wednesday night. Donovan lunged into a challenge during Celtic’s 2-2 draw with Dundee United and was booked in the 33rd minute.

Hackett looked at that one too. He told Football Insider it was “a yellow card, close to a red, but one that falls just short”, and backed the referee because Donovan’s body stayed in contact with the ground throughout.

So Donovan was punished on the night, and the same former referee said the official got it right. Penrice wasn’t punished at all, and Hackett says he should have been sent off.

Go figure

You could argue Donovan was fortunate it stopped at a yellow. His leading leg was high. But there was no real connection with the player and no intent, and he was still booked.

That didn’t stop it being dragged through the week, with the usual attitudes on show whenever Celtic are being discussed and plenty of moonhowling on social media.

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Penrice stayed on the pitch and set up the winner. A red card  would have left Rangers with ten men for the a large portion of the game. Instead, they face Hearts or Hibs in the final on 13 December.

It’s another poor showing for Scottish referees and VAR who continue to do a bang average and inconsistent job.

We expect it to get a fraction of the airtime Donovan’s tackle did.

Celtic head to Falkirk on Sunday and have the chance to go seven points clear of Rangers in the SPFL. With the Hoops spending a rare season without a League cup semi-final they could really exert pressure in the league. 

Martin O’Neill admitted he still doesn’t know his best side and we’re heading into November. Falkirk are playing with purpose and they will fancy their chances against a less than fluent Celtic side.