Celtic were on the end of three controversial VAR decisions at Tynecastle today as the new technology debuted in Scottish football.
The first incident came in the 20th minute when a ‘goal’ from Anthony Ralston was disallowed before Hearts were given a VAR penalty to equalise in the 43rd minute. In the final incident of the half Michael Smith handled a pass from James Forrest, after a brief VAR consultation the game continued.
A second before Tony Ralston dived full length to head into the net Walsh blew his whistle for a foul against Giorgos Giakoumakis who had tangled with home defender Orestis Kiomourtzoglou as Aaron Mooy took a free kick from the right.
The word about VAR has been that play would be concluded before any decision is taken but the match referee, in charge of Celtic for the third time in 11 matches, opted to blow early as BBC Scotland reported:
Anthony Ralston dives to head home an Aaron Mooy free-kick curled to the back post, but referee Nick Walsh had already blown his whistle, presumably for an offside or foul.
Home hearts are in mouths as VAR makes a check and play continues. The goal could not have stood anyway considering the whistle had already gone and it looks like Giorgos Giakoumakis had pushed Orestis Kiomourtzoglou.
? VAR sends Nick Walsh to the screen, a penalty is awarded and Hearts are level!
Drama at Tynecastle Park as Lawrence Shankland slots home from the spot for @JamTarts! ?? pic.twitter.com/X929CI0Ov4
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 22, 2022
In the 43rd minute Hearts were awarded a penalty after Cameron Carter-Vickers clashed with Cammy Devlin with Lawrence Shankland scoring.
In the fifth minute of stoppage time Smith handled a pass from James Forrest inside the penalty box, Walsh didn’t go to check the monitor, quickly playing on then blowing for half-time. At half-time the match was level at 1-1.
? Ange Postecoglou couldn’t believe it when Celtic were not awarded a penalty after claims for a handball against Michael Smith. Was that the right call? ?? pic.twitter.com/aY9LoXrnsX
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 22, 2022
The ref / VAR officials have to explain the disallowed penalty.
VAR is not going to help celtic in any way shape or form because it’s all the same refs that have to make the final decisions so celtic do the rite thing and make sure we score more goals than the opposition as per usual.
var is ok its the officals who say its a penalty foul etc thats the problem we will have in the spl.
VAR works perfectly in countries where officials are ‘partisan’ as it gives them a second opportunity to exercise their bent. Perfectly, that is, according to their aims.
It don’t matter how well you play celtic now are not just playing 11 plus the men in Black there playing the VAR team as well. Rangers start today 3 goals up as they were awarded 3 penalties in last night’s game.
corrupt officals handling var as wrote 45 mins ago its the officals we have to worry about not var pure corruption in these #hits! ps good game both teams.
We got an insight into how it will be operated for us today.
The Hearts penalty was a penalty however the goal chalked off was a disgrace and highlights how we will be disadvantaged.
The handball would have been a shocking decision if there had only been a referee but for a VAR official to back that decision up was outrageous.
What do you expect when the referee trains The Rangers youth players for his day job and the the guy running VAR brother played for The Rangers. ?
Game over 4-3 the Champions .They’ll never stop us now…just for the record: 11 Nov 1976 at Tynecastle, Hearts 3-4 Celtic…Hearts number 9 Willie Gibson scored a hat-trick. My 1st and only visit to Tynecastle, my first ever sweep. Who did i draw out? Hearts number 9 Willie Gibson. Touch of deja vu watching that today. Happy days.