‘100%’… Former SFA official believes VAR failed Celtic in Dundee win yesterday

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Celtic have been let down a number of times by VAR ever since its inception over one year ago. They have also benefitted as well.

Against St Johnstone this season, the refereeing technology missed a handball in the runup to the Perth side’s goal.

Thankfully, Celtic overcame that and eventually won the game 3-1. But if they didn’t then the league table could look a whole lot different.

However, in the 1-1 draw with Motherwell, it seems that VAR benefitted Brendan Rodgers‘ side as it failed to intervene to send off Greg Taylor for an ankle-high challenge on a Motherwell player.

So I guess it’s just swings and roundabouts. Well, that is until it eventually costs Celtic either in the league or in cup competitions.

And it seems VAR let the Hoops down once more according to former SFA Grade 1 referee, Des Roache.

Reviewing the footage of Cameron Carter-Vickers being hauled around by Dundee players, Trevor Carson and Joe Shaughnessy. Carson has his hands around the Celtic defender’s face before pushing him into the goalmouth in what looked like a clear foul.

The Get Involved Referee podcast X account asked its followers what they thought of the three-way tussle.

The account then posted, “@des_roache said that this is 100% a foul.”

And I have to say, I agree. Imagine the show was on the other foot and Carter-Vickers manhandled Carson like that and scored.

Would the goal have been given? Absolutely not. Would a foul have been awarded? Of course, and rightly so.

According to IFAB Law 12, a foul is awarded when:

“A direct free kick is awarded if a player commits any of the following offences:

• a handball offence (except for the goalkeeper within their penalty area)
• holds an opponent
• impedes an opponent with contact.”

So for me and according to the rules, a penalty should have been awarded. Thankfully, once more, this decision didn’t have a huge bearing on the overall result but there is little doubt that one day, it will and it could have a huge say in which way the title will go this season.

In other news, ‘Excellent’… Brendan Rodgers says one Celtic substitute seriously impressed him vs Dundee