Kevin Clancy looked far from convinced of the case for a Celtic penalty against Morton as he reviewed the incident on a pitchside monitor.
There was no doubting that the ball struck Efe Ambrose on the arm but barely any Celtic players or fans were shouting for a penalty after a shot from Liel Abada came off a team-mate to strike Ambrose on the arm.
VAR will only be operational at three Scottish Cup ties this weekend, Craig Napier halted play then summoned Clancy over to take a look for himself.
Check out the hilarious facial expression of ?? ?? Reo Hatate as Kevin Clancy deliberates over the VAR penalty decision at today’s Celtic – Greenock Morton Scottish Cup tie.
Matt O’Riley and Haksa also find the proceedings quite amusing whilst Imrie rages. pic.twitter.com/bQ0uQ2VjBy
— The Fast Lovin’ Sin-Soaked Heathen (@fast_sin) January 21, 2023
Penalties and handball decisions seem to be entirely arbitrary in Scottish football, down to the interpretation of the match referee.
Clancy seems unconvinced, Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate are almost laughing as they take a look at the monitor but it is a serious business with Clancy concluding that Celtic were due a penalty.
Compared to the handball decisions denied at Tynecastle and Ibrox yesterday’s decision was incredibly soft, so far no-one from the SFA has stepped forward to comment on specific VAR decisions other than the technical issues involved in ruling out a ‘goal’ from Jota against Motherwell at Fir Park.