Callum McGregor and the Celtic red card double whammy referee Nick Walsh got spot on

Celtic received a double blow in their third meeting with Rangers, conceding a goal and going down to 10 men in the same incident.

Having been booked already, Callum McGregor was late on Glen Kamara, sending the Finland international sprawling to the turf.

Referee Nick Walsh put the whistle to his lips and appeared to be about to stop play, only for Ryan Kent to pick it up on the edge of the box.

When the winger played it out wide for Joe Aribo the referee gestured for advantage.

The Rangers man played it back inside for Kent, whose shot was chested home by Kemar Roofe.

As the hosts celebrated their goal, Walsh called McGregor over and showed him a second yellow card for the earlier foul.

The McGregor tackle that led to his red card (Image: SNS Group)

The Celtic players were clearly baffled by the double whammy and it’s unusual not to see the game stopped immediately for a red card offence.

However, by the letter of the law Walsh got the decision absolutely spot on.

The IFAB laws of the game state that “advantage should not be applied in situations involving serious foul play, violent conduct or a second cautionable offence”.

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However, there is a caveat that advantage CAN be played if “there is a clear opportunity to score a goal”.

Given that Rangers indeed went on to score that clearly applies in this instance.

Once advantage has been played the referee must “send off the player when the ball is next out of play, but if the player plays the ball or challenges/interferes with an opponent, the referee will stop play, send off the player and restart with an indirect free kick”.

Rangers scoring was the next break in play, and Walsh duly produced the red card.