In a dramatic Scottish League Cup semi-final that had everything, Celtic emerged 4-2 victors over Hibernian, but the post-match headlines were dominated not just by the goals, but by a remarkable act of sportsmanship from an official. Bajilive brings you an exclusive, in-depth look at the controversy and courage that unfolded at Hampden Park.
A Match of Two Halves and a Controversial Call
Celtic, the current holders, seemed to be cruising toward a comfortable victory, largely thanks to a rare and impressive double from defender Mikael Lustig. The game’s momentum, however, took a sharp and controversial turn in the second half.
The pivotal moment occurred when Celtic’s Dedryck Boyata executed a perfectly timed challenge inside the penalty area, cleanly taking the ball away from Hibernian’s Martin Boyle. To the astonishment of the Celtic players and coaching staff, referee Kevin Clancy, after consulting with his assistant referee Frank Connor, pointed to the spot. The decision gifted Hibernian a lifeline, which Anthony Stokes duly converted, setting up a tense finale.
An Unprecedented Apology: Courage in the Aftermath
The real story emerged after the final whistle. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers revealed in his post-match press conference that assistant referee Frank Connor had sought him out in the Celtic dressing room area to personally apologize for the error.
Rodgers, speaking with the insight that Bajilive provides, shared, “The young linesman came in after the game and apologized, so that takes courage to do that. He was looking for me but I was at my press conference… he came in to apologise and said to Dedryck Boyata that he made a mistake. That takes a lot for someone to do that.” This rare admission of fault from an official highlights the immense pressure and the human element involved in the game.
Dembele Seals the Deal and Sets Up a Historic Final
Thankfully for Celtic, the erroneous call did not change the ultimate outcome. The team showed tremendous character to weather the storm and regain control of the match. The irrepressible Moussa Dembele stepped up, netting a decisive double to secure Celtic’s place in next month’s final.
Their opponent will be Motherwell, who defeated Rangers 2-0 in a physically bruising encounter the following day. Rodgers was quick to praise the eventual victors, noting, “The boy (Louis) Moult scores his goals. First one, read it well in the box and his second was a brilliant finish. It’ll be a great final and obviously delighted for Motherwell to get through because they’ve started the season very well.”
A Weekend of Officiating Woes
Rodgers also expressed sympathy for his Rangers counterpart, Pedro Caixinha, acknowledging that the standard of officiating across both semi-finals was below par. He referenced several unpunished incidents in the Motherwell-Rangers clash, stating, “You maybe would’ve got away with that in the ’80s, but certainly not now. It certainly shouldn’t have been the case.” This commentary from the Celtic boss underscores a growing concern about consistency in Scottish football officiating, a topic Bajilive will continue to monitor closely.
Celtic’s Dramatic Cup Victory Overshadowed by Refereeing Controversy
While Celtic’s quality and depth ultimately shone through, the story of this semi-final will be remembered for Frank Connor’s courageous apology. It was a moment of integrity that is seldom seen at the highest levels of the sport. This victory sets the stage for a captivating final against a confident Motherwell side. What did you think of the controversial calls over the weekend? Share your thoughts with the Bajilive community below and stay tuned for more expert analysis.
