Celtic’s League Cup victory has sparked further controversy as SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell admitted today that Rangers should have been awarded a penalty in Sunday’s final. Addressing the contentious decision, Maxwell acknowledged the possibility of mistakes and suggested that human error likely influenced the referee’s judgment.
Addressing the incident directly, Maxwell told RecordSport:
“Decisions will be wrong, that’s a given. We’ll eradicate them as much as we possibly can. We’ve done that in the vast majority of cases, but there are always going to be one or two that will fall outwith that, because there’s people involved.
“Anything that involves a person in any walk of life, there will be decisions made that don’t go the way we want them to, or are incorrect. That’s just part of human nature.”
Although Ian Maxwell stopped short of issuing a formal apology, his admission has ignited the Rangers fanbase, while for Celtic supporters, it only enhances the sweetness of their Hampden triumph.
Rangers have long been perceived as beneficiaries of favorable penalty decisions, with a reputation for soft spot-kicks and controversial VAR calls. This history makes the current outrage from the Ibrox faithful, coupled with the SFA’s acknowledgment of error, particularly amusing for Celtic fans.
Adding to the irony is the fact that even if Rangers had been awarded the penalty, there was ample time left for Celtic to equalize. Considering the performances of both teams, it wouldn’t have been surprising if Celtic had turned the tide yet again.
The fallout has been dramatic, with Rangers keeping the controversy alive throughout the week. Fans, pundits, and the club itself have ramped up pressure on the SFA, fueling a narrative of perceived injustice.
For Celtic fans, however, Maxwell’s admission only highlights what they see as Rangers’ inability to accept defeat and move on.
Celtic’s victory on Sunday wasn’t defined by a single refereeing decision. It was a testament to their resilience, ability to rise to the occasion, and dominance in Scottish football. No statement from the SFA can overshadow that achievement.
And for Celtic supporters, there’s an added layer of satisfaction: avenging John Hartson at Hampden after all these years, reversing the heartbreak of that disallowed goal and sending Rangers packing.
