Kris Boyd has raised concerns over the volume of stoppage time played during Celtic’s Scottish Cup clash with Dundee, after Junior Adamu netted a dramatic late equaliser that sent the tie into extra time.
Celtic were trailing as the match moved into added time, with five minutes initially shown on the board. Adamu eventually found the net in the 96th minute, preserving Celtic’s hopes before they went on to secure victory in extra time.
Boyd’s response centred on when the goal arrived, implying Celtic were permitted to continue playing until they managed to score. It followed a familiar narrative of criticism, directed more at the official than the action that unfolded in the closing stages.
What those remarks failed to acknowledge was a significant and obvious stoppage that occurred during the additional minutes themselves. Kieran Tierney was caught in the face while contesting the ball and immediately went to ground.
Tierney stayed down for nearly three minutes while undergoing treatment for a head injury. Play was halted throughout, with medical personnel attending to him on the pitch as the referee oversaw the situation before allowing the match to resume.
According to the laws of the game, time lost to injuries during stoppage time must be compensated for. Referee Ryan Lee did precisely that, extending proceedings beyond the original five minutes to make up for the delay.
He said: (The Scottish Sun SPORT YouTube), “Yeah, just play on till Celtic score.
“I think that was the message from, well, that’s what we got from Saturday night, sorry.
“Just we’ll play till Celtic score.
“Fair play to them, they kept on going.“
Boyd’s remarks overlook what genuinely paused the clock. Tierney was struck in the face within the allocated added time and remained down for roughly three minutes as he received medical attention. The referee had little choice but to factor that period in.
This was not a brief interruption or a swift restart. Medical staff were clearly visible on the field, the ball was out of play, and the delay was evident to everyone inside the stadium. Suggesting the match continued without justification does not align with what occurred.
Celtic still had plenty to accomplish once play resumed. Dundee were pushed deep into their own half, but there were no guarantees. The leveller came from sustained pressure and a composed finish, not from an official allowing time to drift aimlessly.
Boyd’s interpretation transforms a straightforward head-injury stoppage into something more contentious. The time was added because the game was paused. Celtic scored because they persisted in attacking. Blending the two only clouds what was, in reality, a simple situation.