Yesterday’s Glasgow Derby was overshadowed by yet another VAR decision that may have cost Celtic a win over Rangers.
Fabio Silva was originally adjudged to have dived in the Celtic box after he tripped over Alistair Johnston‘s leg but after being asked to review the footage on VAR, match referee John Beaton overturned his original decision and awarded the Ibrox club a spot kick.
It was a U-turn that enraged Chris Sutton as the former Celtic hero said that Beaton’s decision to give the penalty was ‘embarrassing‘.
The penalty was converted and it inspired a fightback from Rangers who, in truth, looked dead and buried after a first half where Celtic absolutely dominated them.
But it was VAR that unfortunately dominated the headlines as refereeing comes under the spotlight after yet another controversial intervention by the refereeing technology.
Why VAR should ‘not have got involved’ in Celtic decision
Former SFA Grade 1 referee, Steve Conroy delivered his verdict on the penalty award and whilst he enjoyed the game and said a draw was a fair result, he shared why VAR had no business interfering in Beaton’s original decision.
Conroy said [Daily Record 14:06], “What a fantastic game of football. I don’t agree with the Rangers penalty.
“In my opinion, there was no clear & obvious error; it was an opinion, so VAR should not be involved.
“Still, a draw is what the game deserved.”
As it stands, VAR did get involved yet and another Celtic result was influenced by the game being interfered with by the off-site match officials.
For Celtic, we still remain at the top of theScottish Premiership by one point but there could have been clear daylight between us and Rangers had the penalty not been given.
With six games to go, there is all still to play for and, thankfully, despite the decision yesterday, the title is still in Brendan Rodgers‘ hands with one more Glasgow Derby still to play.