“That’s one of the worst calls I’ve seen in a long, long time,” Kenny Dalglish

Kenny Dalglish can see nothing at all wrong in what Brendan Rodgers had to say after the controversial match at Tynecastle last weekend where referee Don Robertson allowed himself to be manipulated by the rogue VAR official John Beaton, who clearly had his own reasons for making the calls that he did.

John Beaton – Photo Malcolm Mackenzie PSI

Dalglish reckons that the incident involving Yang had no malice and would have been an indirect free-kick in his day. He also believes that the penalty awarded to Hearts was one of the worst decisions he has ever seen in his time in the game.

And remember King Kenny never had to worry about VAR during his amazingly successful career in the game, as a player or manager. VAR was meant to help referees make the correct decisions, not turn nothing incidents into game-changing moments.

Heart of Midlothian v Celtic – Brendan Rodgers following the cinch Premiership match at Tynecastle on Sunday March 3, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

Put it this way there was no-one at Tynecastle last weekend shouting for a penalty on the pitch or in the stands. Beaton and Beaton alone saw the chance to give a penalty against Hearts and took it. He should be chased out the game by the SFA but instead they are going after Rodgers.

“It’s not right that Brendan Rodgers has been charged by the SFA for his comments after Celtic lost 2-0 to Hearts,” Dalglish said via today’s Sunday Post. “He highlighted some blatant mistakes in that 90 minutes that cost his side. I’m sure any other manager would have done the same.

“Having watched the incidents several times, referee Don Robertson and his VAR, John Beaton, got it horribly wrong.

“Yang shouldn’t have been red-carded for his high challenge on Harry Cochrane. There was no aggression or malice in his attempt to play the ball. In my day, that would have been an indirect free-kick. Don just about called it a right with his initial decision of a yellow card. There was no need for VAR to become involved.

“Then, towards half-time, the Jambos were awarded a penalty for a handball against Tomoki Iwata. That’s one of the worst calls I’ve seen in a long, long time. It was never a penalty. For VAR to get involved was outrageous. It then defies belief that the referee agreed with his colleague.”

King Kenny proceeded to slam the SFA for remaining silent after three terrible calls last weekend (he also didn’t think that the penalty Celtic missed should have been given).

“Scottish football has heard nothing from the SFA on the game at Tynecastle. Surely there should be an explanation as to why the decisions made last weekend were the right ones. However, not a single word. Indeed, it looks as though some of the people in charge in the corridors of power of Hampden are hiding in their offices.

“Is there no accountability for Scottish referees? Surely, that can’t be allowed. If it is, the whole system needs to be reviewed very quickly. Yet, they are happy to haul Brendan up for highlighting some obvious errors.”

Hard to argue with a single word of that, although we could also ask where the Head of Referees has been all week. Remember the time Kyogo scored against Hearts at Celtic Park and Sky Sports could not determine whether he was on or offside, it was that tight. Yet Crawford Allan interrupted a holiday to appear on a radio show apologise to Hearts for the ‘wrong-doing”.

Or more recently after Clement went after Willie Collum and demanded that he doesn’t referee their games again the Head of Referees popped up and THANKED Clement for his comments on Collum, who still hasn’t refereed a Rangers game in the Scottish Premiership since.

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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

5 Comments

  1. Scottish referees have a terrible CV fifa won’t have them sfa have told them no matter how bad there mistakes are they won’t be punished nothing wrong with VAR but human error or biased now Beaton is well known for his honest mistakes nothing honest about his decisions Robertson is just a weak person he let hearts cochrane away with so many fouls then books him 5 minutes to go even with the bias calls from Beaton Celtic should be beaten hearts even with ten men missing a penalty again set the tone if we score hearts have to come out of there defences style Celtic would have picked them of bernardo was not at it that penalty miss after player came out and said he thrives on pressure well he didn’t thrive at tynecastle players should do there talking on the pitch play livingstone in the cup I’d play kyoko two forwards livingstone going to park the bus, abda is away disgraceful yes it did upset our team in December see all the good luck messages I don’t give a f—k about politics bloody idiot that’s waving Palestinian flags shame on you I doubt now an Israeli will ever play for us again and we have had some good players that’s over cause off wannae bees politicain where own countries full corrupt so stupid niw there us a device I’d the support

    • Devide in our support take yer Palestinian flag to Palestinia your only at Celtic games mostly away I don’t now but I’d wouldn’t renew season book that’s how much damage you have done to my team Celtic FC honestly I hope the identify those people there are plenty waiting fir season books that only there to see football the Celtic way

  2. Devide in our support take yer Palestinian flag to Palestinia your only at Celtic games mostly away I don’t now but I’d wouldn’t renew season book that’s how much damage you have done to my team Celtic FC honestly I hope the identify those people there are plenty waiting for season books that only there to see football the Celtic way