Bobby Madden has told punters why Kasper Schmeichel’s penalty flashpoint is NOT like Jack Butland’s – as the former whistler called for a new rule to be enforced.
Ross County took the lead in Dingwall after Liam Scales was punished for a handball following a VAR check. Ronan Hale stepped up and was initially denied by the Celtic No1. But the spot-kick was ordered to be retaken after the veteran keeper was off his line with the Staggies striker stepping up again and making no mistake at the second time of asking with a powerful low driving effort. Brendan Rodgers‘ men went on to turn the game around and claim a big three points thanks to Alistair Johnston and Nicolas Kuhn’s late winner as they bounced back from their Champions League mauling by Borussia Dortmund.
Madden stated a number of people had commented that Schmeichel’s penalty situation was the same as Butland last week against Hibs as the Rangers keeper denied Mykola Kukharevych’s from 12-yards. But the former whistler stated that a goalkeeper must have part of one foot on or above the goal line – which the Hoops veteran didn’t hence the order of a retake.
He also hailed the ‘excellent and consistent’ use of VAR for the correct awarding of the handball before calling for a CAUTION to be introduced after the goalkeeper was pictured tampering with the penalty spot before the effort was taken.
Taking to Instagram, Madden wrote: “Excellent and consistent use of VAR. Handball correctly awarded and illegal save identified. Very similar to the handball awarded to Celtic against Hearts.
“Already have some people saying that penalty save was the same as [Jack] Butland’s. Just a reminder that the goalkeeper must have PART of ONE foot ON or ABOVE the goal line. Again, it’s not difficult. One thing I would like to see cautioned is unsporting behaviour such as tampering with the penalty spot and attempting to delay the restart of play.”