Kenny Dalglish questions referee’s decision in Celtic game

Celtic fans have raised questions about how VAR has been implemented in Scotland, since its introduction earlier on in the season. The hope was that by bringing in the system, it would reduce the number of controversial refereeing decisions and the focus will be more on the game. Unfortunately, things have not quite turned out like that.

Of course, refereeing in the Premiership has been a topic of discussion for years. There have been a lot of controversial decisions in the Scottish game, even after the introduction of VAR. In fact, one could argue that the system has raised fresh questions in recent months.

Celtic have been on the wrong end of decisions made by referees and VAR on more than one occasion this season. Goals have been chalked, stonewall penalties have not been awarded to them and on the other hand, controversial spot kicks have been given against them. All in all, it would be safe to say that the club’s fans are not satisfied with how things have worked till now with regards to the system and its implementation.

As reported by 67 Hail Hail, Kenny Dalglish said while speaking to The Sunday Post [05/02 print edition, Post Match supplement page 20]:

"“Strange decisions also took place at Tannadice during Celtic’s visit when the referee, Don Robertson, failed to show Kieran Freeman a second yellow card after a hand-ball that resulted in a penalty.“Now, we don’t want to see players red-carded if it can be avoided. However, there needs to be consistency. There can’t be one rule one week for an incident, and a different rule the next week when something very similar happens.“This season, on both sides of the border, the hand-ball rule has caused more debate than anything else. I sometimes struggle to comprehend what it’s all about.“Surely there must be something more straightforward to help referees when these incidents occur? The current rules on handball need to change – and the sooner the better. When I played, handball was only given if it appeared deliberate. Now the rule is so much more complex and confusing.”"

Dalglish questions referee’s decision in Celtic game

While Celtic might have been on the wrong end of decisions from referees and VAR in recent times, they are not the only side to face problems since the introduction of VAR.

There have been several others as well and it has become a game wide issue in Scotland, that the association needs to have a look at as soon as possible before things go out of hand.

Of course, for Celtic, wrong decisions could end up having huge implications on the title race. Although it must be pointed out that they are leading the Rangers by nine points at the moment.

But there are several other teams though, for whom a wrong decision could prove to be the difference between staying up and going down. Thus, things need to be as accurate as possible.