With the introduction of VAR into the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, many were sceptical of the new addition to Scottish football, but none could have predicted what unfolded at Tynecastle during Saturday lunchtime.
Ange Postecoglou was left in absolute disbelief as one of the most clear-cut cases of a handball in the box seen in the Scottish Premiership wasn’t given as a penalty. Even with the aid of VAR the decision reached by Nic Walsh was that it wasn’t a penalty.
In a major contrast, Hearts were awarded two penalties during the match, each not being as obvious as the dismissed Celtic claim of handball. Ange was left absolutely gobsmacked by Nic Walsh’s decision and proceeded to laugh and sarcastically clap at the horrific decision-making of the matchday officials.
After the match, Ange jokingly compared the drama that unfolded at Tynecastle to a ‘circus’. It’s fair to say that VAR still has some way to go before it will have the full support of Ange and the Celtic support.
As reported by the Glasgow Times, the Celtic gaffer outlined his thoughts after the game. “Cracking game, what do I know? VAR, starring role, three points. Credit to the lads it’s not easy coming here, their crowd is up and about, the conditions the way the are, it’s always going to be a 50/50 game and with the whole circus around VAR it becomes anything but the football.
“For us, within that context just to stick to try and play our football and finding a way to win is credit to the lads. As I said before the game, I would much prefer if it wasn’t involved at all but I thought we had a clear cut handball, but what do I know, mate?”
“It’s a lot of standing about, a lot of theatre, like I said I just wish they’d get decisions early and sort of intervening when they have to. It is what it is, I’m probably on the outside on this one.”
Has the referees and var in Italy in Roma v Napoli game got the early penalty wrong.
Wow same sort of Collision as 1st penalty at tyncastle where penalty given.