By Keith Hackett

8th Mar, 2022 | 7:00am

Celtic news: Ex-Premier League referee issues bold claim as David Martindale fumes

Nick Walsh was right to not penalise Tom Rogic for a handball in the build-up to Nicky Devlin’s own goal as Celtic beat Livingston.

That’s according to ex-FIFA and Premier League referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider after the Hoops’ first win at the Tony Macaroni Arena since 2007.

During the game, Rogic appeared to handle the ball in the buildup to Celtic’s second goal though Walsh did not award a free-kick to the home side.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Livi boss David Martindale fumed over the decision.

He said, “Tom Rogic handles it in the middle of the park and catches the ball, nearly.”

Despite Martindale’s complaints, Hackett maintains the referee got the decision right.

“The hand is close to the body,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley while analysing the replays.

“You are not giving handball in that situation. Just a minute, the referee doesn’t have the best angle, does he?

“I don’t think that’s handball. It doesn’t look it to me. It’s tight, isn’t it?

“The referee is ahead of play so I’m going with the ref, he’s in a really good position to make that judgement.”

Celtic beat Livingston 3-1 thanks to a Nicky Devlin own goal along with strikes from Maeda and James Forrest.

They are next in action against Dundee United in the Scottish Cup on Monday (14 March) before a return to league action against Ross County the following weekend.

In other news, Celtic ‘hero’ tipped to demand new deal by pundit after major development.