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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Smith

Alistair Johnston in Kevin Clancy 'good job' verdict amid VAR drama

Alistair Johnston admits he was “glad” referee Kevin Clancy awarded a foul on him after Alfredo Morelos thought he had opened the scoring at Parkhead today. 

The Colombian was penalised for a push on the Canadian after the pair had grappled inside the penalty area following a corner into the box. 

Ally McCoist slated the decision as “embarrassing” as he called out VAR official Nick Walsh for not intervening, but Johnston felt the decision was spot on. 

He told Sky Sports: “I felt like I had a free header and all of a sudden I didn't cause I had two hands on the back of my back.  

“So it's one of those ones. I knew that as soon as I went in the back that he was going to call it. And thankfully, you know, that's what the ref is there for. He did a good job.  

“I thought today wasn't an easy one. A lot of big tackles, as you'd expect in that match, so I thought he did a good job and I'm glad that he made the right call there.” 

On the game itself, Johnston added: “I think our supporters know how much that meant to them and at the end of day, that's the most important thing. 

“We don't focus too much on the table, we just focus on the next match picking up three points and playing our football. And we know if we take care of our business no one can touch us. So you know at the end of the day it is just another three points.” 

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou also had his say on the Morelos incident. He said: “You've just got to go with what the officials go with. It's a game that had a bit of everything.  

“For the most part it was really competitive. I don't think there was anything untoward in the game from both sets of players and I thought Kevin [Clancy, referee] handled it as well as he could because it's such a big game for everyone involved. I don't think there were any decisions that sort of swayed it.”

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