Ex-refs chief instantly reacts to 'harsh' Reo Hatate red card as Bologna vs Celtic footage analysed

Martin O’Neill could have done more to prevent Reo Hatate from being sent off during Celtic’s Europa League clash with Bologna.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Wilfried Nancy’s successor could have substituted the midfielder on Thursday, 22 January.

Despite Kasper Schmeichel making up for his slack passes, Vincenzo Italiano’s side were able to complete the comeback via goals from Thijs Dallinga and Jonathan Rowe against the Hoops’ 10 men.

There was no doubt over the Japanese international’s first yellow card, swiping Lewis Ferguson’s legs from underneath him, but there was more controversy over the second, which saw him sent off.

Martin O’Neill told he should have replaced Reo Hatate

Chasing a loose ball, Hatate clipped the ankle of Juan Miranda, just three minutes after the first yellow, but Joe Hart accused the referee of being swayed by the home side’s bench at the time.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “When a player is issued a yellow card, the last thing that he should do is commit an act that leaves the referee with a decision to make.

“This swinging arm towards an opponent, who goes to ground and exaggerates the offence, results in him receiving a second yellow. The referee has applied the law, despite it looking to be harsh.

“When a player receives a yellow card, one option for the manager is to replace him.”

What did Joe Hart make of the incident?

On commentary for the game, Hart wasn’t fully sold on the decision, especially as the referee delayed the awarding of the second yellow card after the Bologna bench erupted.

Speaking to TNT Sports (22 January), he said: “I think they have bought it to an extent. It was right in front of the Bologna bench, and they went wild.”

In his post-match press conference, O’Neill will likely say something similar, with emotions high after the Hoops threw away all three points away from home, but it was contentious for a reason.

While it may have seemed soft, Hatate gave the officials a decision to be made, and nobody can take the blame for that other than himself. He should know better than that.

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