Kris Boyd Blasts Nick Walsh After Celtic’s 2–1 Win at Hibernian “Predictable Flashpoint Once Again”

Sky Sports pundit Kris Boyd did not hold back following Celtic’s hard-fought 2–1 victory over Hibernian at Easter Road, accusing referee Nick Walsh of losing control and delivering inconsistent officiating a criticism Boyd framed as part of a pattern whenever Walsh handles a Celtic match. While Celtic celebrated a late winner from Arne Engels and Daizen Maeda had earlier opened the scoring, the post-match conversation quickly turned to Walsh and the impact of his decisions on the flow of the game.

Boyd’s comments were unequivocal. Speaking on Sky Sports, he said:

“Another Celtic match, another predictable Nick Walsh flashpoint. It wasn’t one major mistake it was everything about his control, consistency, and timing that made this game frustrating for both sides.”

The outspoken pundit highlighted what he called “soft fouls, mismanaged advantages, and constant stop-start play,” arguing that Walsh’s performance undermined the natural rhythm of the match. Boyd added:

“When a referee looks hesitant and inconsistent, players are left guessing what will be given and what won’t. It ruins the flow of a match that should have been about football, not refereeing debates.”

Match Overview: Goals and Drama on the Pitch

The match itself was intense and competitive. Celtic started brightly, dominating possession with Maeda and Hwang In-beom providing energy on the wings. Hibs responded aggressively, pressing high to disrupt Celtic’s rhythm and testing Walsh’s decision-making from the outset.

Celtic took the lead through Daizen Maeda, who capitalised on a defensive lapse to drive a low shot into the bottom corner. Hibs hit back before halftime when Martin Boyle converted a penalty after a clear foul inside the box. While the penalty was correctly awarded and confirmed by VAR, Celtic supporters expressed frustration that a previous foul on Maeda had gone unpunished  one of the examples Boyd cited in his criticism.

The match-deciding moment came late when Arne Engels struck a spectacular goal to seal the 2–1 win for celtic. Despite the goal, the game remained tense and disjointed due to frequent interruptions and players repeatedly questioning Walsh’s decisions.

Where Walsh’s Officiating Came Under Fire

While no red cards were issued and the penalty was correct, Boyd and many fans felt Walsh struggled to manage the overall flow. The key points of contention included:

Stop-start play: Multiple minor fouls were called, disrupting Celtic’s attacking sequences and creating frustration for Hibs players.

Advantage decisions: On several occasions, Walsh signalled advantage for Celtic, but play broke down immediately, leaving both teams unsure whether to continue or protest.

Consistency in discipline: Yellow cards and warnings appeared to lack a clear threshold, with similar challenges receiving different treatment depending on the team or timing.

Boyd emphasised that while none of these were major mistakes in isolation, the cumulative effect “made the match messy and unpredictable.”

Players and Managers React

Celtic manager avoided direct criticism but admitted that his team never fully found rhythm, citing the frequent interruptions and inconsistent foul calls. Hibs manager acknowledged that some decisions felt “strange,” but praised Walsh for correctly awarding the penalty.

On the pitch, players from both teams frequently surrounded Walsh to question calls, indicating a lack of confidence in the consistency of the officiating. Social media quickly echoed the narrative, with fans from both sides describing the match as “frustrating,” “stop-start,” and “over-officiated.”

Boyd’s Criticism in Context

Kris Boyd’s commentary was notable because it tied Walsh’s performance in this match to a pattern he has observed in previous Celtic fixtures. Boyd remarked:

“It’s predictable whenever Walsh handles a Celtic game, there’s a flashpoint. The decisions may not be wrong, but the lack of flow, the hesitation, the inconsistency  it happens every time.”

He further suggested that Scottish refereeing standards need improvement, not only in terms of decision accuracy but also in game management and authority, arguing that confident officiating is as important as correctness.

Fact Check: What Actually Happened

Goals: Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels (Celtic), Martin Boyle (Hibs penalty)

Red Cards: None

VAR Interventions: Only to confirm the Hibs penalty

Fouls: Celtic  13, Hibs – 11

Yellow Cards: 4 issued by Walsh

No major errors changed the outcome, and the penalty was fully justified. However, small disruptions and perceived inconsistencies contributed to Boyd’s frustration and echoed fan sentiment.

Conclusion: Flow vs Outcome

Celtic left Easter Road with three crucial points, thanks to Maeda and Engels’ brilliance. Hibernian fought well and earned praise for their intensity. Yet the dominant post-match story is Walsh’s refereeing and Boyd’s pointed criticism, highlighting how even correctly called decisions, if inconsistent or poorly managed, can dominate discussion in high-stakes Scottish Premiership matches.

Boyd’s warning resonates beyond a single game: even in the absence of obvious mistakes, a referee who fails to control the rhythm risks overshadowing the sport itself. As the league progresses, the question remains whether Scottish officiating can deliver both accuracy and authority consistently and whether referees like Walsh can avoid repeat flashpoints in high-profile matches involving Celtic