GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 20: Referee Calum Scott during a Scottish Gas Men's Scottish Cup Semi-Final match between St. Johnstone and Celtic at Hampden Park, on April 20, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Celtic fans appear to have been short changed at today’s Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Johnstone at Hampden.
A 5-0 victory to secure a place in next month’s final was highly enjoyable but it seems that referee Calum Scott  didn’t find the match to his satisfaction.
Supporters are used to seeing extensive time added on beyond the 90 minutes but for whatever reasons Scott opted not to add on any time at the end of the second half.
His motives can only be guessed at but there were two VAR stoppages that resulted in the match referee being sent to the pitchside monitor and overturning his original decisions.
Each of those incidents results in a loss of around two minute, possibly more.
Play was stopped in the 64th, 70th and 77th minutes for Celtic substitutions, St Johnstone made changes in the 68th and 75th minutes.
Stoppage time of at least five minutes could easily have been justified, if Scott was sympathetic to the losing side a token three minutes would barely have been noticed. Why no stoppage time was added only the match referee can answer.
This is a lack of professionalism by the officials. The game lasts as long as it lasts. If a team is 10-0 up should they just end it at 80 mins? It’s a very slack approach to officiating the game.
— Declan Tim ?? (@tim_declan) April 20, 2025
After Mackenzie Kirk ‘scored’ with a blistering 30 yard shot in the 54th minute BBC Scotland reported:
Boooo… That seems very mean spirited.
An amazing Hampden goal is chalked off for a push that happened right under the referee’s nose.
Daniels Balodis is the culprit. He had both hands on the back of Adam Idah.
Six minutes later after Scott awarded Celtic a penalty the BBC added:
It stays at 4-0. James Forrest is probably on the way down when contact is made – and that contact was slight.
Fans were paying between £30 and £43 to watch today’s match, they deserved to see additional
In the grand scheme of things it didn’t matter one little bit…
But hey ho – That’s not the point here –
Some Celtic fans are saying we could’ve had a player injured in that time – If so then unfortunate as it’d be the time should still be played…
If I’ve a bet on for a 6-0 Celtic win (someone somewhere will have done as well) then I’m well pissed off…
Yet another weekend of controversial decisions from Scottish officials…
Quelle Surprise anyone !!!
I had a 6/0 single and a double 6/0 with Maeda to score anytime – raging £240 is potentially my winnings – not withstanding that it is poor officiating as it was a couple weeks ago when Dickinson played 5 mins injury time against St Johnstone when it should’ve been at least 8 or 9 mins – lots of explanations could be used – mmmmm ?
To start Forrest falling he’s was caught on the chin by players hand.
I totally agree Clach, if one had a bet ( which I do occasionally ) for over 5 goals, you’d be raging (just like the new klub wangers) , that no extra time added…very strange indeed..
Just more proof that the match officials are not fit for purpose:
they can’t even manage the playing time!
Mibbees that’s why neither FIFA nor UEFA invite Scottish match officials to their Finals anymore?
I don’t think subs coming on or off add time at the end it is up to the ref to decide if the player takes ages going off the 30 secs will be added . Seen 10 subs in a game but only about 2 or 3 mins added. Check the rules if I am wrong .
Don’t think stoppage time was very important up 5.0 and St, Johnstone players dead on their feet ,why prolong it ,game wasn’t exactly on a knife edge , a comfortable victory and clean (luckily) best goal of the day was rightly chopped off as was out pen , another cup final spot booked game over