Alistair Johnston Booking Backed 3:0 by Scottish FA Panel

Alistair Johnston’s booking stood after the Scottish FA Key Match Incident Panel unanimously backed the on-field decision from Celtic’s 3-1 win over Rangers on Sunday, May 10. The panel also supported Yang’s equaliser after reviewing the other first-half flashpoint from the match.

Johnston Tackle Holds Up

Johnston was booked after 38 minutes for his tackle on Mikey Moore, and the panel agreed 3:0 that the decision was right. He caught the Rangers winger on the ankle in his follow-through, and there was no VAR intervention over either the tackle or the yellow card award.

That leaves the caution in place exactly as it was given on the pitch. For Celtic, it preserves the match-state from the officials’ original call; for Rangers, it closes the door on any change to one of the game’s sharpest early incidents.

Yang Goal Stays

The same panel also backed Yang’s equaliser, ruling unanimously in support of allowing the goal to stand after claims for offside. That decision covered the build-up, where a possible offside had been raised before the goal was awarded.

Danny Rohl said after the match that he did not see the incident again and that others made the decision. He also addressed both flashpoints directly, saying, “Yeah, I think since seven months you know me well, I'm at first not a guy who looks at excuses for some decisions.”

On the tackle, he added, “The foul felt on the pitch really aggressive, but I didn't see it again.” He then said, “And if the decision is like this then we cannot change it now, I think everyone should look back.”

Rohl also pointed to the offside claim in Yang’s goal, saying, “What I heard so far I didn't see until now, that maybe there was an offside situation because there was someone in front of our goalkeeper.” He finished by saying, “And if it's the case that maybe it should not be allowed, or a red card, then hopefully also someone will take the responsibility for this as well, because this is crucial.”