Celtic may have edged past Dundee in dramatic fashion, but one of the biggest talking points from the Scottish Cup tie had nothing to do with Sebastian Tounekti’s extra-time winner.
Instead, attention centred on a first-half flashpoint involving Tomas Cvancara — and Ally McCoist has now weighed in, insisting the officials got it right despite furious protests from the stands.
The incident occurred as Cvancara attempted to power his way into the penalty area. The Czech forward tangled with a Dundee defender and went to ground just inside the box, immediately appealing for a spot kick. Referee Ryan Lee pointed for a free-kick on the edge of the area, triggering a VAR review led by David Dickinson.
After a brief check, the original decision stood. No penalty.
While sections of the Celtic support erupted in frustration — believing the contact had continued into the box — McCoist believes the laws were applied correctly and that the outrage is misplaced.
The key detail lies in where the foul began.
Broadcast coverage later relayed clarification from the Scottish FA, explaining the reasoning behind the call.
“In the 38th minute, a free kick is correctly awarded outside the penalty area because the pushing began outside and continued inside. However, it can only be punished if it is holding that continues inside. Pushing can only be punished at the initial point of contact.”
In other words, even though the contact carried on into the penalty area, the initial push occurred outside it. Under the current interpretation of the laws, that means the offence is judged at the point it starts — not where the player eventually falls.
For McCoist, that technical detail settles the argument.
Celtic were seconds away from a humiliating exit before their late recovery, and some supporters have suggested a penalty at that stage could have spared them unnecessary drama. But the former Rangers striker insists there was no injustice.
It was a scrappy, tense affair at Parkhead, with Dundee pushing the holders all the way. Celtic eventually found the breakthrough they needed, but the controversy ensured tempers remained high long after the final whistle.
Ultimately, while frustration is understandable in the heat of a cup tie, the explanation from officials is clear: pushing is penalised where it begins. And in this case, that was outside the area.
Lucky? Perhaps. Controversial? Certainly. But according to both VAR and McCoist, not a penalty.