Moaning David Martindale launched a critique of the spot-kick awarded to Celtic against Livingston yesterday afternoon, arguing the call would not have gone his side’s way had the circumstances been reversed…
Arne Engels of Celtic scores from the spot during the Scottish Premiership match between Livingston and Celtic at Set Fare Arena on December 27, 2025. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
The hosts made a fast start in West Lothian, edging in front twice through Cristian Montano, only for the Hoops to respond on each occasion courtesy of goals from Benjamin Nygren and Yang Hyun-jun.
Nygren later completed the turnaround with a tremendous effort to put Celtic 3–2 ahead, before Arne Engels added a fourth from the penalty spot.
Martindale maintained that the penalty should never have been given, with Danny Finlayson punished for handball despite claims he had been shoved during the incident by Daizen Maeda.
Arne Engels of Celtic scores from the spot during the Scottish Premiership match between Livingston and Celtic at Set Fare Arena on December 27, 2025. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
Speaking via Sky Sports, Martindale said: “It’s disappointing. I thought we created enough chances to take something.”
“It’s a really soft penalty… I don’t want to be standing here talking about this, but there’s a push in the back on Dan. I don’t think we get that penalty. So I think it’s a really, really soft pen that goes against us.”
“The game would be a lot closer than it was [if it wasn’t given]. Nygren’s strike was fantastic and we’ve got to defend our box better.”
Corner flag ahead of the Scottish Premiership match between Livingston and Celtic at Set Fare Arena on December 27, 2025. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
“There’s a lot of positives in the game as well. But we’re disappointed with the soft penalty, and we’re disappointed with Nygren’s goal at the back post.”
🗣️ “I think it’s a really soft pen… I don’t think we get”
David Martindale on Livingston’s defeat to Celtic ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/BUpdG8SBEK
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 27, 2025
Livingston remain bottom of the table, while Celtic have closed the gap to Hearts at the top to three points following the Jambos’ 3-2 defeat to Hibernian at Easter Road.
The Hoops now travel to Fir Park on Tuesday night to face Jens Berthel Askou’s Motherwell who may feel hard done by after being denied a blatant penalty at Ibrox yesterday.
Three points in Lanarkshire for Celtic would set the team up nicely ahead of facing theRangers at Celtic Park next Saturday.
Celtic celebrate fourth goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Livingston and Celtic at Set Fare Arena on December 27, 2025. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
Martindale continued with his moaning in his post match media conference which you can watch below. Livingston remain bottom of the table after Celtic’s 4-2 win and barring a Scottish cup draw, Celtic won’t be back there this season and perhaps the way things are going for Livingston, there will be no trips there next season, unless there’s a big turnaround in the their results.
Conor Spence
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The reason VAR doesn’t intervene is because Meada almost gets his shirt ripped off before the “push” and therefore it is both players jostling for position.
A defender can’t haul the forward about whilst defending set pieces and then expect a foul in their favour when they are touched.
HH