Celtic overcome another controversial VAR call to push further clear in SPFL race
Soccer Football - Champions League - Group H - Celtic v Real Madrid - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - September 6, 2022 Celtic's Sead Haksabanovic shoots at goal Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
Celtic survived yet another VAR controversy to beat Ross County 2-1 to move nine points clear at the top of the SPFL Premiership.
After a goal-less first half referee David Munro pointed to the penalty spot in the 50th minute after a close range handball against Matt O’Riley. It followed a recent pattern.
David Cancola scored from the penalty spot, the fourth given against Celtic in five matches with supporters left in the dark about the Michael Smith handball at Tynecastle that went unpunished.
Tony Ralston had an appeal waved away soon afterwards but the hoops were back on level terms in the 62nd minute when he nutmegged Ross Laidlaw after brilliant work from Reo Hatate created the opening.
Just four minutes later Celtic completed the turnaround when Sead Haksabanovic steered a low shot into the net to send the hoops nine points clear in the league after 15 matches.
The goalscorer was among three players substituted straight away with only some more puzzling refereeing decisions preventing a bigger winning margin.