Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell has sparked outrage by defending Liam Gordon’s brutal tackle on Celtic’s Adam Idah, which left the Irish striker struggling to finish the game at Fir Park. Fans and pundits are stunned by Kettlewell’s comments, calling the manager’s justification “bizarre” and “tone-deaf” after Idah was nearly sidelined by the reckless challenge.
With Adam Idah now in doubt for Celtic’s Wednesday clash against Dundee at Celtic Park, Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell defended Liam Gordon’s tackle, downplaying its severity. Speaking to Sky Sports, Kettlewell said, “I spoke to the referee just on the pitch. There was no animosity whatsoever; simply what he saw in the tackle. He watches that many times; there are still images that we keep talking about that make things look a lot worse than they actually are.”
Kettlewell’s comments have drawn criticism from fans, who are concerned about Idah’s fitness and shocked by the manager’s defense of the challenge.
Kettlewell continued his defense, insisting that Gordon’s challenge was misinterpreted: “I think we can all see that Liam Gordon is at the very end of his stretch, and I think Adam Idah is coming in at pace as well. The referee spoke about the hinge in his ankle when the contact was made. I personally think it’s really, really harsh. I do think it’s really harsh.”
He added, “I understand how it can look in a still image; there wasn’t an awful lot of force in the tackle. He’s trying to get the toe ender just to steal the ball, and he slightly mistimes it. But it’s one of those situations now in modern football where we all want to jump on it and we all want to say it’s a red card, but I think it’s unbelievably harsh.”
Kettlewell’s remarks have fueled debate, with fans and analysts questioning the Motherwell manager’s leniency, especially with Idah now possibly sidelined for Wednesday’s crucial game.
Kettlewell’s defense of Gordon’s tackle has left many shaking their heads. To witness such a clear red card challenge—one that put Adam Idah at serious risk—is shocking enough, but for Kettlewell to question the intervention of VAR and Alan Muir’s decision to send referee David Dickinson to the monitor only adds to the controversy. Gordon is fortunate not to have caused a serious injury, as the tackle could easily have ended with Idah’s ankle broken.
The tackle itself was reckless, and Kettlewell’s dismissal of its severity has drawn widespread criticism from fans and pundits alike, who find his comments not only baffling but “beyond comical” in light of the clear evidence.