Sportscene Panel Label Liam Donnelly ‘Lucky’ to Escape Red After Schmeichel Incident

The Sportscene panel think Kilmarnock midfielder Liam Donnelly was ‘lucky’ to escape a red card for his incident with Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel in yesterday’s match at Rugby Park.

The Hoops walked away from Ayrshire with three vital points and a clean sheet thanks to goals from captain Callum McGregor and on-form Nicolas Kuhn. Their defence had to step up, too, with Schmceichel also making a number of key saves between the sticks.

The match was in no way short of controversy. Reo Hatate’s second-half tackle attracted attention, although Killie boss Derek McInnes thought a yellow card was sufficient.

For Donnelly’s antics, though, Sportscene duo Billy Dodds and Lee Miller, father of Motherwell star Lennon, think referee Nick Walsh could have flashed a red card.

Near the Game’s end, as Schmeichel played the ball out from the back, Donnelly chased it down.

After the Celtic ‘keeper made his pass, Donnelly left something on him and even swung out an elbow, which, fortunately, evaded Schmeichel. The veteran stopper was visibly incensed as a result of the incident.

Asked on Sportscene last night whether there was an elbow, Dodds said [via RecordSport]: “There was. You can see once he has kicked it (the ball) away.

“If he connects, he will be off the pitch as well. Lucky. Schmeichel isn’t happy, and Trusty is straight over – you can see why. The swipe of the arm – if that connects, it’s a knockout.”

Miller took a similar stance and reckons the 28-year-old was fortunate: “He’s a goner (if that connects), and Derek McInnes would have been fuming with him having been sent off a few weeks back.

“It probably leads on from the challenge that has just been made on him from Hatate. He has been frustrated and wants to lay down a marker, but he’s lucky to avoid a red card; he doesn’t make full connection.”

On another day, Donnelly’s violence would likely have seen him sent off. He can count himself fortunate his elbow didn’t connect with Schmeichel.