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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Macdonald

Celtic pundits question 'harsh' Daizen Maeda red card against Atletico Madrid

Several Celtic pundits have questioned the decision to send off Daizen Maeda during the Parkhead side's Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid.

Brendan Rodgers' side lost 6-0 to the Spanish side, with the Japan international's dismissal proving to be a real turning point

And one of the pundits confused at the decision was former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill. Speaking on TNT Sports, he said: "I think it is exceptionally harsh. The wider picture of things, I don't know where we are going with these things.

"They have had a still there, and the referee is going over to look at it, still. Instead of kicking off the game.

"It's incredibly harsh. You're talking about Champions League football and you find yourself a goal down and a man down in that length of time.

"It's a long way back from that. But I thought it was exceptionally harsh and I'm taking my bias out of this." 

And one of O'Neill's ex-players Aiden McGeady also felt it was harsh for Maeda to see red. He told BBC Sportsound: "If that's what you're getting sent off today, what's the point in even making a challenge?

"I disagree with it. I don't think it was a red card. Up until that point, I was encouraged by how Celtic were playing."

And someone else who was also bemused by the decision was two-time Champions League winner Owen Hargreaves who joined O'Neill on TNT Sports.

"I think it's harsh," he said. " He's worked incredibly hard, he's three vs one on his own, he's chasing the ball.

"He puts in such a shift, the referee gives him a yellow. I think he has got it spot on there. It's not with two feet, he's not got both feet off the ground, he's trying to play the ball and he is just a little bit late.

"He's not that type of player and when you see the stills, obviously, it looks a little bit different but not a big fan of the pictures referees see.

"It's had a huge impact on the game."

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