Brendan Rodgers critical of VAR intervention at McDiarmid Park after Daizen Maeda’s first-half strike was ruled out.
The Hoops were on another planet to their opponents producing an attacking masterclass in Perth.
Maeda, who was Player of the Match, bulleted a header into the roof of the net in the second half but should have had a double following referee Don Robertson disallowing his half-volley into the top left hand corner in the first half.
Since Arne Engels arrival Brendan Rodgers side have been effective from set-pieces. This would have been another one to add to the collection. However, as Kuhn collected the ball at the edge of the box from a short free-kick, Trusty collided with Saints midfielder Graham Carey.
Replays showed Carey and Trusty running into one another. Physically, Trusty outmatched the ex Celtic man. Alan Muir on VAR had other ideas and sent Don Robertson to the monitor to have another look
Maeda’s disallowed goal makes it VAR intervention number four for the season in the league involving Celtic after only six league games.
On the decision to award a free-kick to St Johnstone, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said, “it should never have been disallowed. If you watch it back, Auston loses his marker, their player steps into his space and bumps him. Obviously, Carey goes over, he’s hurt.”
Rodgers continued, “Daizen ends up getting a really good goal, which was disallowed. So, I don’t think that should have been disallowed.”
Just to underline the shadyness of this decision yesterday, one player alters his movement into the path of the other and get flattened.
If i walked out onto the street in front of a bus, im hardly gonna be able to blame the bus.
This is an all timer of a shocking decision. pic.twitter.com/v0b6HVYlrI
— The Celtic Way (@TheCelticWay3) September 29, 2024
Thankfully for Celtic it had no impact on the outcome of the game. Head of Refereeing Willie Collum is set to sit down with host Gordon Duncan reviewing incidents after every month of matches on the SFA’s ‘The VAR Review’ show. It shall be interesting to hear the former whistler’s thoughts on Don Robertson call to overturn his original decision.
Incidentally you can read my own Player Ratings from the game at McDiarmid Park over on our sister site Celtic Shorts.
ON CELTIC SHORTS…St Johnstone 0-6 Celtic – Celtic Player Ratings, Daizen Maeda MOTM
Conor Spence
READ THIS…Sandman’s Definitive Ratings – Celtic v Amish Country
