Since the introduction of VAR in Scotland, Celtic have seen one decision after another go against them. Some are good enough to leave you scratching your head, as it looks like the Hoops are conceding a penalty kick almost every game now. What is impressive though is that they have not allowed it to derail their season. Lesser teams would have gone off the tracks.
Once again, this time against Ross County, Celtic found themselves on the wrong end of a questionable penalty call.
Once again, the opposition managed to convert from the spot. Fans must have been delighted with the response from the players though. Going a goal down seemed to wake them up, as David Turnbull and Sead Haksabanovic scored to turn the game around. Then the Bhoys hung on to their 2-1 lead to seal the win and go nine points clear of the Rangers.
That does not mean that one sweeps that penalty call under the carpet though. Michael Stewart certainly did not seem happy with the decision. As reported by the Daily Record, the pundit said while speaking on BBC Scotland:
"“Horrific. That could be the worst.“For the referee to give it in the first place is an absolute disgrace. And to go to VAR and say ‘yeah, that was the right call’? Honestly.“I can be surprised he’s gone to VAR and awarded it because it’s that ridiculous of a decision. I can’t believe VAR looked at it and went ‘aw aye, yeah.’“We must be playing a different sport here. He’s a foot away from the ball, it ricochets up and hits his elbow, which is at his side! It is ludicrous.“Those two incidents at Celtic Park in the short space of a couple of weeks are two of the worst decisions you will ever see. And by the way, there are loads of other decisions that were barely picked up. At Tynecastle, Devlin got wiped out in the first half which could have been penalty.”"
Pundit left raging at penalty decision against Celtic
Celtic deserve a lot of credit for the position that they find themselves in, despite how many obstacles that they have had to deal with this season, and especially in recent times.
One would remember the penalty call against Alexandro Bernabei from a few games back, which almost defied belief. On the other hand, Celtic were denied a stonewall penalty not too long ago themselves despite VAR being in play. Then there was the Jota offside call from the previous game.
It is not just the Scottish Premiership though. The penalties that went against Celtic when they faced Real Madrid in the Champions League were pretty questionable themselves.