The Rangers’ Fabio Silva was seen playing “mind games” before Celtic’s Matt O’Riley missed a penalty kick.
When Mohamed Diomande challenged the Danish international in the box, the Scottish Premiership leaders were already ahead 2-1. Referee Willie Collum pointed to the penalty spot. Play would be delayed for a considerable amount of time as the whistler was sent to the pitch-side monitor by the VAR room to review the event.
Cameras from Sky Sports saw Wolves loanee Silva approach O’Riley during the halftime intermission and engage in a quick conversation. During the chat, Silva covered his lips, causing the Celtics star to smirk before they carried on talking while O’Riley clutched the ball. The goal scorer for the Hoops would eventually shrug and step away from the Rangers forward, but Collum would ultimately stick to his initial choice.
Jack Butland would save O’Riley’s attempt from the penalty spot, but Brendan Rodgers’ team ultimately managed to hold on for the vital three points against the 10-man Light Blues to go six points clear at the top. Chris Sutton was quick to criticize the strategies used during the long check from Clydesdale House after he missed his 12-yard attempt.
“It’s a weak penalty, but it’s mind games during a long wait for Matt O’Riley,” he stated in the Sky Sports commentary. Butland makes the correct move with a slight stutter.”
Following the match, O’Riley dismissed queries over the mental tics displayed by the Rangers players before to his error in the VAR check-waiting scenario, in which Butland also seemed to converse with the Danish international prior to him hitting the ball. “I don’t know if VAR tried to overturn it, but I found it pretty odd,” he remarked. When you miss a penalty, you have no justification. Naturally, though, the wait is very lengthy.
