Lee Johnson has called on the SFA to come up with answers over the goal Hibs lost to Ross County in midweek.
As David Marshall prepared to collect an inswinging corner he was completely wiped out by Jordan White who put the keeper in the net before the ball cross the line.
It was like a throwback to the fifties when a goalkeeper was used for target practise by brutal forwards but referee Graham Grainger saw nothing wrong with the attack on Marshall.
After a brief check with Alan Newlands on VAR duty the goal stood with Johnson left baffled on the bench as his side dropped two important points.
In these situations it is easy and lazy to blame VAR, the real issue is referees that come up with random decisions that show no consistency with their apologists putting it down to discretion.
Reflecting on the shambles on Tuesday night, Johnson told The Sun:
I still stand by my belief, and they stand by their belief, which is quite shocking to me. There’s a bit of a grey area. I’d like to have more conversations with the SFA.
Has it cost us points? In my opinion yes, absolutely, but the bigger picture is what am I coaching my players? What am I teaching them?
Am I signing a bouncer to protect my goalkeeper at corners or will the rules and the officials protect him?
If you’re playing abroad, anywhere other than Scotland and you touch the keeper on the shoulder it’s a foul.
I want to protect my goalies and stop opposition players invading the space. Or am I allowed to bundle a rival keeper straight into the goal?
In which case I need to recruit someone who can swing the ball Beckham-style right on top of the keeper.
It’s the lack of consistency that frustrates me — and then the explanations on the back of it that frustrate me even more.
Hibs robbed of 3 points at Ross. County. Clear foul on the keeper ignored, and VAR once again getting things wrong. ?
Is VAR only here to help Rangers? pic.twitter.com/8idRXhsi3x
— Barlos ?? (@Barlosthecat) January 31, 2023
Since the introduction of VAR Crawford Allan, Head of Refereeing at the SFA appears to have taken a vow of silence.
If White tries to repeat his challenge on Marshall against Allan McGregor tomorrow at Ibrox he is likely to be booked or sent off.
The only time 2 surnames surfaces is when it’s a Celtic player getting stick from the Ibrox fanboys at the Billy Boys Corporation, eg Kyogo last year, and with much less justification, if any.
Not fit for purpose. At any level.
I still cannot get over the one at Parkhead a few weeks ago, ironically against Ross County, when the keeper came for a corner and brushed Maeda on the way down. He retained possession and it wasn’t a foul anyway.
All the players moved up the park and Kyogo hung about the edge of the box to prevent the keeper from dropping the ball and moving it outside his box to kick it up the park.
The keeper dropped the ball but as Kyogo moved in the keeper quickly picked the ball up again. That should have been a freekick to Celtic.
A bewildered Kyogo looked at the referee who then moved from the halfway line to the box to award a retrospective foul to Ross County.
Utterly bizarre yet not one media outlet commented on the incident. It is no wonder managers get sent to the stand.
I wonder if the The Rangers goalie, Goldson would have got a foul….
HH
In light of current refereeing and VAR, whether corruption or incompetence, Crawford Allan’s position as Head of Refereeing is untenable. This is the guy responsible for the unacceptable officiating conditions on the field. He shouldn’t be replaced with a like-minded official either.
One guy stands up against this establishment for one incident against his team. Celtic have had loads but not one word from our lot. Fckn shame on you
Great point there Stevie !
With all these “inconsistencies” with both referees’ / VAR officials’ decisions…
at what point do the Bookmakers start querying decisions…?