“That tackle was a DISGRACE. It’s a STRAIGHT Red Card…” – Celtic Critic, Kris Boyd, Disagrees with what Motherwell manager says about the game against Celtic; shows his FULL support for Celtic’s WIN in the game.

Celtic’s 3-0 victory over Motherwell on Sunday brought a mixture of praise and criticism, especially regarding the controversial red card shown to Motherwell’s Liam Gordon. Kris Boyd, a former Rangers player and current pundit, found himself aligning with Celtic’s view as he criticized Gordon’s challenge on Adam Idah, labeling it a “disgrace” and expressing frustration over the delay in issuing a red card.

The match, following Celtic’s confidence-boosting Champions League draw against Atalanta, saw some notable lineup changes due to injuries. Captain Callum McGregor was absent, providing an opportunity for midfielders Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan, who both delivered strong performances. McCowan’s involvement was especially significant, as his display showed the depth of talent Brendan Rodgers has within his squad, despite key players missing. The team’s commanding win moved them to the top of the Scottish Premiership table, surpassing Aberdeen.

In the later stages, Gordon’s tackle on Idah led to a heated discussion. Boyd, visibly frustrated, voiced his thoughts on the tackle, which he described as a dangerous “lunge” that could have caused serious harm. Speaking to Sky Sports, Boyd expressed disbelief at the delay in issuing the red card, criticizing the officiating and calling the challenge “a shocking tackle.” Boyd emphasized, “It’s a straight red. Forget about looking at it slowed down. It’s a terrible tackle,” showing rare solidarity with Celtic’s viewpoint.

Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell, however, took a different stance, describing the red card as “unbelievably harsh.” Kettlewell argued that while the incident may have looked severe on replay, he believed there was minimal force in Gordon’s challenge and defended the intent behind the tackle. “He was trying to get a toe-ender just to steal the ball,” Kettlewell stated, suggesting the decision was overly punitive.

Boyd’s criticism of Kettlewell’s comments highlighted the contrast between the managers’ perspectives, with Boyd arguing that it was clearly a dangerous play. In an unusual alignment with Celtic supporters, Boyd reinforced that the decision to issue a red card was justified and necessary for player safety, underscoring the tackle’s potential for injury.

Celtic’s win demonstrated their dominance and depth, but the discussions around Gordon’s red card have kept the focus on the game’s intensity and officiating decisions. This rare instance of Boyd supporting Celtic’s stance shows how universally certain challenges can be deemed unacceptable, regardless of team loyalties. The outcome not only secured Celtic’s position at the top of the table but also sparked a wider debate on tackling standards and refereeing consistency in Scottish football.