Reo Hatate defended over Celtic challenge as Dundee United star he tackled 'saw it coming'

Kieran Freeman was braced for Reo Hatate’s steaming challenge but the Dundee United man refused to join the stampede calling for the Celtic star to be sent off.

The Tannadice ace was clattered by the Hoops man in Monday night’s Scottish Cup defeat to Ange Postecoglou’s men.

It was still 1-0 to Celtic at the time and United fans howled for John Beaton to brandish a red card – with Terrors midfielder Calum Butcher getting hit with a retrospective two game ban for a similar lunge on David Turnbull when the sides met earlier this season.

Freeman resisted the call for a ban but admitted it was just as well he managed to come out unscathed.

The United star said: “I knew it was coming. I got the ball and tried to play it inside.

“These things happen. I’ll leave that to others to discuss. I was in the heat of the game and didn’t see too much.

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“How much did he catch me? I’m not sure. I felt contact and it’s up to the referee to do whatever he thinks.

“I was down on the ground. I didn’t know what was happening around me and you can’t change that now.

“He gave the yellow and I don’t think it impacted on the game too much in the end.

“I had plenty of time to see that coming and it is what it is.”

Freeman