4% for, 33% against- the incredible stats of Celtic’s SPFL season
In their 14th home match of the season at the weekend the SPFL leaders and top scorers were awarded a penalty.
It seems like that decision and a first half red card for a Hibs player has tipped some people over the edge regarding VAR as they turn a blind eye to the wonky lines drawn by Andrew Dallas at Fir Park and the theatrics of Todd Cantwell.
There are certain figures that no-one in the Scottish media wants to shine a light on such as the near 50 match run going back to January 2022 when a penalty was last awarded against the Ibrox Tribute Act.
This season Celtic have conceded seven penalties, all since VAR was introduced with the majority captured by VAR. It seems that there is no equivalent to Goldson’s Law where a different excuse is produced on a weekly basis to explain why a certain decision is avoided.
4% of Celtic’s League goals this season are from the spot.
33% of their goals conceded are from the spot.
Celtic average 73% possession & have outshot opponents more than 3-1.
Welcome to Scotland. pic.twitter.com/Ho0ZWmuAIK
— GrandOLTeam (@JBLuvsCeltic) March 20, 2023
After complaints from Motherwell, Dundee United and Kilmarnock over the weekend it seems that Ian Maxwell and Crawford Allan might be required to do some work this week.
A few quiet words about VAR doing the job that it was brought in for should be enough to keep everyone on message.
No Scottish referees attended the World Cup Finals in Qatar or have taken charge of knock-out matches in UEFA competitions this season.