VAR Farce – Greg Aitken’s incredible denial of Reo Hatate penalty check

‘That’s why we’re Champions!’ is a well used Celtic chant. Yesterday afternoon Celtic overcame a tricky trip to a freezing Dingwall  with a convincing 4-1 victory to go 18 points clear…

With vital players ruled out, and temperatures plummeting well below zero resulting in a heavy playing surface, this was the proverbial banana skin.

Kyogo opens the scoring
Kyogo opens the scoring against Ross County in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Any fears quickly evaporated when we headed in at the interval one goal to the good after a dominant first half thanks to a nicely taken Kyogo goal. Although we should have at least had a two goal lead to show for our dominance, with a combination of good goalkeeping and bad finishing thwarting us from finishing the game as a contest.

Greg Aitken on VAR astonishingly rejected the Celtic penalty claim when Reo Hatate was pushed and tripped. We’ll await Willie Collum’s confession on that one.

“Such an easy decision too. Did the defender foul Hatate? Yes – by dragging him back then tripping him. Did the foul prevent Hatate getting a shot off? Yes. Foul puts Hatate off balance so loses possession. Was there an advantage by letting play go? No. Penalty all day long.” This from a Celtic supporter doing Greg Aitken’s job for him.

Alistair Johnston concedes the penalty
Alistair Johnston concedes the penalty. Ross County v Celtic in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

We were made to pay for failing to capitalise on our superiority when County equalised from the penalty spot just on the hour mark, and suddenly we were back level with it all to do once again. If that was a penalty then how could Hatate’s not be one?

Reo Hatate brought down
Reo Hatate brought down in the box. Ross County v Celtic in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Just when it looked like it wasn’t going to be our day, that man Kyogo popped up again by scoring a fine header assisted by a terrific Arne Engels cross to fire us back into the lead with just 10 minutes of normal time remaining.

Kyogo scores
Kyogo scores to make it 2-1. Ross County v Celtic in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Arne Engels made sure of the points after scoring from the spot at the second attempt minutes later, and Luke McCowan put more shine on the victory by grabbing a fourth just before the final whistle.

Arne Engels celebrates
Arne Engels celebrates.Ross County v Celtic in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

On a day it could have all went wrong, we exerted our authority despite suffering a set back in tricky conditions to earn a valuable three points as we close in on yet another title. “That’s why we’re Champions”…

Luke McCowan
Luke McCowan. Ross County v Celtic in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
Ross County v Celtic
Ross County v Celtic in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

READ THIS…Sandman’s Definitive Ratings – Celtic v Ice Station Zebra

Ross County v Celtic
Ross County v Celtic in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Celtic in the Thirties 

Order your signed copies from Celtic Star Books
Celtic in the Thirties by Celtic Historian Matt Corr is published in two volumes by Celtic Star Books. CLICK ON IMAGE ABOVE TO ORDER NOW! And both Volumes are also available on Amazon Kindle, links below…
Celtic in the Thirties now available on Amazon Kindle
Click to order Volume One
Celtic in the Thirties now available on Amazon Kindle
Click to order Volume Two

About Author

An ordinary everyday Celtic supporters hailing and still residing in Govan in the shadows of the enemy. I’m a season ticket holder. I Witnessed my first Celtic game in 1988 and have attended when I can ever since. Growing up in the 90s I witnessed Celtic at their lowest, and now appreciate the historic success we enjoy today. I enjoy writing about this wonderful football club and hopefully will continue to do so. I’ve always been a keen writer and initially started this a hobby. My ambition is to one day become as good an author as my fellow Celtic Star colleagues.

1 Comment

  1. No doubt that VAR was a total farce yet again yesterday.
    Yet the scum cheerleaders somehow try to promote an agenda, that we actually benefit from VAR decisions?
    The Hatate decision was simple enough, with a clumsy challenge and contact made. How that is deemed as not enough contact to warrant a penalty is astonishing?
    Why would Hatate fall over with only the keeper to beat, and was hardly looking to attract contact to go down either?
    The time involved in the yang decision, was just embarrassing.
    The TV view, from behind the goals was so conclusive, that a very simple decision was the only outcome.
    A high leg across the chest of yang,followed by contact and preventing the goal scoring opportunity. The only decision should have been whether it was worthy of a red card or not?
    Yet over 5 minutes goes into a very simple decision, that should have been cleared up in 30 seconds?
    This is now the knock on effect, from the scum cheerleaders after the amount of whining from statement Fc?