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Kasper Schmeichel 'jawbreaker' sparks ref watch ding dong as Dermot Gallagher reveals why Donnelly spared

Kasper Schmeichel and Liam Donnelly incident
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Kasper Schmeichel has been told he could have suffered a broken jaw if Liam Donnelly connected with him at Rugby Park.

The Celtic No1 was visibly raging with the Kilmarnock man after a flashpoint incident during the game with Kilmarnock. As the ball is played back to the veteran he takes a tough and moves the ball on, only for the midfielder to make a late movement towards him with his arm. Nick Walsh immediately blew his whistle and brandished a yellow card with former EPL whistler Dermot Gallagher agreeing with the on-field call - but Stephen Warnock completely disagreed, branded Donnelly 'really naughty' and insisted any contact would have KNOCKED OUT the 38-year-old and caused serious damage.

Speaking about the incident on Sky Sports' weekly Ref Watch segment, the former Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers defender said: "I think he should go for that. That is intent to smash him across the face. That is why Kasper Schmeichel is so angry. He knows, If you watch his arm. You talk about that clenched fist. He pushes that across. I think that is really naughty. He knows exactly what he is trying to do there.

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Dermot Gallagher
Dermot Gallagher

"If he is any taller he is catching Kasper Schmeichel right across his face. It will knock him out if he catches him across the face and probably breaks his jaw at the speed he is moving. That is really naughty. He knows what he is doing."

Gallagher disagreed saying: "I have to say I thought the referee dealt really well with this. When I saw it - I was watching the game live - I thought he could go here..

"I actually thought his arm was higher up but when you see it from behind the goal he knows what he is doing but actually catches him across the chest.

"Does he throw an elbow? No. It is more of a forearm but I think yellow card. The referee dealt with it really well."

Meanwhile, Reo Hatate escaped a red card for a high lunge on Donnelly. Former whistle Bobby Madden reckons he should have walked for the incident, after getting just a yellow card. He also declared VAR got it wrong by not intervening - but Gallagher believes the on field decision was CORRECT and a booking was the right outcome.

He added: "I think it looks worse than it is. He starts low and does catch him but I don't think he generates intensity. He goes to pull out as well and by pulling out that is why his foot comes up. I think it is not nice but a yellow card for me."