Ex-PGMOL reacts to Alistair Johnston incident everyone is talking about after Celtic win vs Rangers

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Football Insider or go back to LFC Live.

Credit: Imago Sun 10 May 2026 14:31, UK Keith Hackett has explained that Alistair Johnston should have been sent off in Celtic’s 3-1 victory in the Old Firm derby on Sunday.The Hoops completely turned the game on its head after going 1-0 down early on, thanks to an equaliser from Hyun-Jun Yang and a brace from Daizen Maeda.In the end, it was a simple victory for the hosts. However, it could have easily been a completely different game.There was controversy concerning Celtic’s equaliser, as well as Johnston’s rash challenge in the first half.For the latter, Keith Hackett was quick to state that the Celtic defender should have been sent off in what was a controversial Celtic victory. ⚽ Celtic Matchday ⚽ >Team news, line-ups, expert previews and verdicts, and tactical analysis for every Hoops fixture.

VISIT THE CELTIC MATCH HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Keith Hackett: Alistair Johnston should have been sent off vs RangersLate in the first half, both teams were pushing to get the goal that would put them ahead at the break.Multiple strong challenges were flying in, and the worst was by Johnston.Match stats CelticRangersPossession50.9%49.1%Shots 99Shots on target43Corners17The derby proved to be a close game at Celtic ParkThe full-back slid in and won the ball, but also made strong contact with Moore.The Celtic’s star studs clearly made contact with the winger just above his ankle with force.Yet, Nick Walsh only deemed the challenge worthy of a yellow card, and VAR did not recommend a review.🟥 “That is a red card all day long!”Should Alistair Johnston have been sent off against Rangers for this tackle on Mikey Moore? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/C528v9ceYU— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 10, 2026 Upon reviewing the footage, Hackett exclusively told Football Insider that he should have been sent off.He said: “The Celtic player should have received a red card for this Serious Foul Play challenge. Did the VAR have the viewing angle that was shown in the TV Studio in the halftime analysis?“On first viewing, it was a yellow, but on the angle shown, it is excessive force, endangering the safety of the opponent, the landing area on the lower part of his opponent’s leg.”Old Firm derby continues to have controversiesIn the last Old Firm derby, Hackett exclusively told Football Insider that points deductions could have been handed out after fans invaded the pitch in the aftermath of the Scottish Cup result.While such scenes did not take place on Sunday, Rangers will no doubt feel hard done by with plenty of decisions going against them.The club have now officially missed out on Champions League football, with Danny Rohl now under serious pressure after three consecutive defeats.However, it remains to be seen if the manager can bounce back from what has been a humiliating end to the season.