Celtic keeper Joe Hart was issued a straight red card for the first time in his career during Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Livingston, according to Neil Lennon.
Referee John Beaton gave the Hoops No.1 his marching orders in the first half at the Tony Macaroni Arena for preventing a clear goal-scoring opportunity by rushing out of his box and wiping out Mohammed Sangare, who was through on goal.
The Livi midfielder got to the ball first before Hart collided with him in mid-air, with Sangare briefly down as a result of the aggressive challenge. Steven McLean, a VAR official, assessed the situation and agreed with Beaton’s first ruling.
Celtic led at the time courtesy to Reo Hatate’s penalty, but Hart’s departure didn’t seem to trouble the visitors, who added two more after the half thanks to Matt O’Riley and a superb Daizen Maeda finish.
Lennon agreed with the decision to send out the former England and Manchester City custodian, but believes Hart was helped by his two central defenders who failed to monitor Sangare’s move.
“It’s reckless from Joe,” he said. He’s fully devoted, but a challenge like that can’t be made. That may have also been for reckless endangering of a player.
“If you look at (Liam) Scales, he’s not in the same league as (Gustaf) Lagerbielke.” It’s a bright red card. Sangare is touched, and Joe cleans him out.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was questioned for his thoughts on the incident after the game, saying he sympathised with Hart after the Scottish champions were sent off for the THIRD time in five days.
“We lose Joe, which I think is his first ever sending off in his career, so we obviously had a plan for that going down to 10 men and how we want to work,” said the Northern Irishman, who will be without his first-choice kkeeper for next week’s trip to Fir Park to play Motherwell.It was one of those odd ones when it appeared on the pitch and caused difficulty for Joe. Obviously, something will occasionally bounce and then skid through. So the referee has made his choice.”
