Kris Boyd, VAR, more moans Neilson and Ange’s ‘Rise Above It’ strategy

How many more people are going to have their say on Kyogo’s goal against Hearts? Was he offside? Oh yes he was, oh no he wasn’t!

The two ugly sisters, Boyd and Neilson, carried on with their one sided arguments right up to kick off on Sunday. Boydy has tirelessly lead the campaign to bring VAR to Scottish football since 8.30pm last Thursday. Obviously, in his view, there were no dubious decisions prior to that.

5th December 2021; Tannadice Park, Dundee, Scotland: Scottish Premier League football, Dundee United versus Celtic:

We are all indebted to Red Robbie for letting us know that someone from the SFA I have never heard of, broke into his period of annual leave to appear on Radio Scotland on Saturday and inform listeners that it was probably offside. He has since disappeared and rumour has it he is playing the rear end of the donkey in Aladdin.

Some people are asking for Ange Postecoglou to call out the officiating and the decisions against us. For example, at least three offside decisions yesterday which were wrongly given and a possible leg breaker of a tackle was deemed worthy of just a yellow card.  It is right for the likes of thee and me to shout about these but Ange has always taken the higher ground. When asked previously, he has brushed it off saying he likes to let the officials get on with it and do their jobs.

5th December 2021; Tannadice Park, Dundee, Scotland: Scottish Premier League football, Dundee United versus Celtic: Celtic Manager Angelos Postecoglou salutes the travelling supporters

When Abada’s goal against Hearts in the first league match of the season was wrongly ruled out for offside, he didn’t dwell on it in the post match interview. He took it on the chin, accepted responsibility for losing the game and came back stronger. I also think that it what he is saying to the players. Don’t get too hung up on refereeing decisions, some, or in our case, a lot, will go against you; rise above it and use them as motivation.

So do we want a moaning Minnie like Neilson or someone like Ange as our coach?

Back to the standard of refereeing. At the beginning of every season in England, all referees’ background information is audited. They are required to complete a form that includes who they support, their history of playing the game and the addresses where they reside.

5th December 2021; Tannadice Park, Dundee, Scotland: Scottish Premier League football, Dundee United versus Celtic: Celtic Manager Angelos Postecoglou holds up a scarf thrown to him by a fan after the win

That gives a picture which comes into use in making appointments. It’s about ensuring, for example, you don’t appoint a Sheffield-based referee for a Sheffield team.

Only in Scotland, can a referee officiate in a game involving their team or their team’s biggest rivals.

Our Board need to earn their salaries and take the SFA to task. What, if any checks are being undertaken to ensure a level playing field? I suspect the answer is Sweet FA.

So yes Boydy, we need VAR but we also need a system that is fair and is seen to be fair. If everything in the SFA is Snow White, why all the secrecy regarding referees?

Chris Wotherspoon

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

3 Comments

  1. True Chris, thanks, VAR will calm the cheating bassas out. Only when it’s needed to put Timmy in his box, bring it in asap and put the lodge in their place.
    HH

  2. Up til LAST season countries using VAR
    Ausie and New Zealand, Belgium, Brazil ( men and women) , Bulgaria, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Chech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, England, France, Germany ( first and second division), Greece, Israel, Italy ( first and second division), Mexico, Morocco, Holland, Paraguay, Peru, Poland ( first and second division), Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Korea (first and second divisions), Slovakia, Spain( first and second division), Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine ( first and second divisions), MLS( U.S. and Canada), Uruguay.