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Reviewing The Review System: VAR & Celtic

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VAR has been controversial since the moment it arrived in Scottish football. It is well documented that Celtic have had major concerns with the review system, both among the fanbase and within the club itself. To decide whether this displeasure is justified, one only has to look at the decisions and issues involving Celtic and the review system this season.

VAR was first in operation at a Celtic game, when the Hoops face Hearts at Tynecastle on 22 October 2022. During the match, three decisions were reviewed and one major call was not. The system firstly denied Celtic a goal from Anthony Ralston for a very soft foul. This was a highly contentious call which many felt was incorrect, though it was possible to see why the decision had been made. The next VAR involvement awarded Hearts a penalty, correctly overturning the referee’s decision. No complaints there. However, when Celtic pushed to restore their lead, VAR failed to award a penalty for a clear handball in the Hearts box. This was an incredible decision, which left Ange Postecoglou holding his head in his hands in disbelief. And it didn’t stop there. Late in the second half Liel Abada scored a crucial goal, which the linesman ruled offside. Replays suggest the call was close, yet there was no VAR review! Sky Sports’ Andy Walker later revealed that VAR was not used because the system relied upon the broadcaster’s footage and Sky were unable to hold the review due to programme time constraints! Celtic won the match 4-3, but VAR possibly cost them up to three goals.

In Celtic’s next league game, they got a VAR decision in their favour when the review system correctly stuck with the referee’s decision for a clear handball. The Hoops were 2-0 up at the time, with not long remaining.

The review system was once again used in Celtic’s next SPFL fixture, at home to Dundee United. With the Bhoys leading 1-0, a farcical penalty was awarded to the visitors. A cross came into the box, which Celtic’s Bernabei attempted to flick clear. The Argentine missed his clearance and the attacker headed the ball against his arm, which was positioned behind his back. Somehow, this was deemed a penalty kick for a handball. There was nothing deliberate or unnatural about the player’s arm position. Steven Fletcher dispatched from the spot to level proceedings. Aside from that slice of luck, Dundee United also benefited from midfielder Craig Sibbald managing to get away without a red card after he planted his studs into Giakoumakis’ chest. Fortunately, Celtic won the match 4-2, but it was another set of controversies endured for Ange’s team.

Next up for Celtic was a trip to Fir Park to face Motherwell. As usual, another VAR controversy surrounded the fixture. The Hoops led 1-0 in a tight match, when Jota doubled their advantage on the hour mark. The linesman raised his flag for offside – a tough call, which was worthy of being reviewed. Incredibly, the angle used by VAR was from a camera at the opposite end of the pitch from the back of the stand! It was claimed that this was the only angle available. However, Motherwell’s CEO spoke out and insisted that there are cameras positioned all along the pitch and at both 18 yard boxes – cameras which were installed at great cost. This revelation prompted Celtic to raise concerns with the SFA, who then stated that they were using images from one of the broadcasters, who just happened to be focusing on Ange Postecoglou in the dugout rather than the action when the goal was scored! Despite the bizarre angle used, it does look as if Jota was actually onside. Nevertheless, Celtic did go on to get a second goal and win 2-1.

After overcoming a string of VAR decisions, some outright wrong and some contentious, but none of those in Celtic’s favour – Ange’s side prepared to welcome Ross County on 12 November 2022. Yet again, there was an appalling decision given against the Hoops. County were awarded a penalty for a handball when the ball struck Matt O’Reilly’s hand, which was positioned by his side, at speed. It is questionable as to whether the ‘offence’ took place inside the box or not, but it is beyond doubt that the player’s hand was in a natural position. As so often has been the case, this decision was made at a really crucial point in the game. Indeed, the resultant spot kick put Ross County ahead. Celtic showed great character to overcome this setback to win the game 2-1. If it were not for the spirit of the players, VAR could have cost the team an alarming number of points by now.

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VAR didn’t feature in Celtic’s 1-0 victory at Aberdeen after the World Cup, but it returned with more controversy for our next fixture, against Livingston. Celtic were leading 2-1, in an evidently close match, when David Turnbull helped the ball forwards. The Livingston defender deliberately headed the ball, but miscued his header and the ball spun backwards to Liel Abada. The Celtic winger took full advantage and put the Celts 3-1 up, sealing the points – or so he thought. Incredibly, the decision/action to head the ball was not deemed deliberate by the VAR system and thus Abada was ruled offside. This flies in the face of the rule book and a number of similar decisions in other games around the world.

St Johnstone visited Paradise in Celtic’s next game. A possible goal was ruled not to have crossed the line for Celtic and David Turnbull was sent off – both courtesy of VAR and both were correct calls. Therefore, no complaints on match defining matters there. However, every VAR decision required in the match, of which there were many, took between two and four minutes. This utterly ruined Celtic’s momentum, as St Johnstone midfielder Cammy MacPherson publicly admitted.

A welcome break from VAR controversy was afforded to Celtic in their 4-0 thumping of Hibernian. The Celts were even awarded a penalty, quite correctly, for a handball. The Bhoys were winning 2-0 and sitting pretty at the time.

It wouldn’t be long before VAR would rear it’s ugly head again though. Last week, Celtic faced theRangers at Ibrox. As we all know, the match was drawn 2-2, but a major call went against Celtic when Connor Goldson appeared to play basketball in the box. The defender pushed the ball over his head with the use of two hands, which had been raised prior to Starfelt’s shot being made. Given the precedent set with handball decisions this season, one would deem the action to be a deliberate handball and VAR to issue a penalty. It was not forthcoming, much to the shock of Barry Ferguson and Kris Boyd. When that duo are calling for a Celtic penalty at Ibrox then it’s pretty blatant!

There were no controversial VAR calls in Celtic’s latest match, against Kilmarnock. A goal was disallowed for us, correctly given offside.

This article covers every match since VAR has been introduced. A couple of clearly correct decisions have gone Celtic’s way at times when we held commanding leads. However, a number of wrong calls have gone against Celtic and every contentious one has too. Meanwhile, there have been some bizarre issues with the technology and angles used.

Our review of the review system is that it has made a number of clear and obvious mistakes!

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About Author

Hailing from an Irish background, I grew up on the English south coast with the good fortune to begin watching Celtic during the Martin O'Neill era. I have written four Celtic books since the age of 19: Our Stories & Our Songs: The Celtic Support, Take Me To Your Paradise: A History Of Celtic-Related Incidents & Events, Walfrid & The Bould Bhoys: Celtic's Founding Fathers, First Season & Early Stars, and The Holy Grounds of Glasgow Celtic: A Guide To Celtic Landmarks & Sites Of Interest. These were previously sold in Waterstones and official Celtic FC stores, and are now available on Amazon.

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