Dermot Gallagher gives his verdict on Matt O’Riley penalty decision
Dermot Gallagher has given a shrug of his shoulders and ‘really unlucky Matt’ verdict on the Ross County penalty decision against Celtic on Saturday.
After five rounds of SPFL fixtures assisted by VAR technology Celtic have had four penalties awarded against them with Saturday’s decision by David Munro the most bizarre.
From less than a yard away the ball was played against O’Riley, the ball struck his hip then elbow which was good enough for Munro to point to the penalty spot. VAR Euan Anderson agreed with the decision without requesting that his colleague takes a look at the pitchside monitor.
The decision was discussed on Sky Sports News just before 12 noon today, watching the incident Gallagher said:
I think that he is really really unlucky isn’t he? What can he do? It flicks up, it definitely hits his elbow, there is no doubt about that. But it was give, it was given, that’s it, you have to accept Rob (Sky presenter) it is not going to be utopia straight away but it is moving forward.
Should the Celtic board publicly call for a full explanation on VAR to date?
No, we have to trust that teething troubles will be resolved
Yes, with VAR comes accountability and transparency
The incident came in the 50th minute and allowed the visitors to take the lead.
Celtic bounced back to score through David Turnbull and Sead Haksabanovic to take the points but the run of penalties awarded against his side is clearly an issue for Ange Postecoglou to deal with.