Celtic midfielder Mika Baur avoided a red card during their 3-0 Premier Sports Cup defeat to Rangers following a heavy challenge on Ryan Naderi. Former SFA referee Bobby Madden confirmed a yellow card was sufficient despite fury over the referee’s decision.
The incident occurred after 64 minutes of the derby clash when the German midfielder caught the Rangers striker high on the shin. Whistler Nick Walsh sparked outrage among Light Blues players by awarding Celtic the free-kick instead. Madden admitted Rangers had every right to feel aggrieved by the set-piece call, but dismissed demands for a dismissal.
Breaking down the flashpoint on his ‘So Near, Yet So VAR’ podcast, Madden dissected the mechanics of the collision. “Then, I think you can see that Naderi loses his balance, slips a little, the ball goes behind his leg and then Baur comes in and makes the challenge.”
Rangers supporters called for severe punishment, but Madden stressed that high contact does not automatically equal serious foul play. “You are saying, yes, we have seen red card challenges for contact that high up the leg, but we always need to consider the criteria for serious foul play – speed, intensity, force, malice and endangering the safety of an opponent.”
The VAR check allowed play to continue without sending Walsh to the pitchside monitor. Explaining why video officials held back, Madden highlighted how still photos distort real-time actions. “If you look at that contact, yes it’s high – but we don’t referee with still images. Yes, it’s good to prove the point of contact but that alone is not enough to warrant a red card for serious foul play. We have to consider all the other criteria.”
While Walsh handed Celtic the advantage, Madden noted Baur’s intent was genuine. “I think you can see the way that Baur enters the challenge there is an attempt to play the ball. Because Naderi slips the ball is then behind his leg, so it doesn’t tick the boxes at all.”
