GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 15: Referee Don Robertson interacts with Jack Butland of Rangers during the Premier League match between Rangers and Hibernian at Ibrox Stadium on December 15, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Sky Sports have reviewed the incidents in yesterday’s Hibs v Celtic match.
As fans have come to expect Dermot Gallagher has backed the company line on the Joe Newell goal.
Showing a grasp of reality Jay Boothroyd explained to his elderly colleague that the ball had twice struck Newell’s arm.
It seems that Gallagher is pre-programmed to accept whatever excuse is trotted out by the authorities.
In this case the broadcasters and passing the message that there was insufficient evidence of a handball to overturn the on-field decision.
The evidence is there.
Don Robertson had additional access to special VAR cameras as well as those from Sky Sports.
There is no justification for the decision to let the goal stand. And no justification for standing by the anonymous briefing to excuse it.
All of the Sky Sports pundits agreed that the goal shouldn’t have stood.
This isn’t a decision that requires an intimate knowledge of the Laws of the Game.
CELTIC DENIED JUSTICE ON THE PITCH, IN VAR AND SKY SPORTS STUDIO
Newell twice uses his arm to control the ball before shooting into the net.
Gallagher goes by Liam Scales’ reaction to justify allowing the goal to stand.
There is nothing in the Laws of the Game that refers to the reaction of opponents.
It seems that Celtic are supposed to be grateful that VAR overturned the on-field decisions involving Jamie McGrath and the Daizen Maeda goal.
VAR is there to correct every wrong decision on the pitch.
Everyone knows the attitudes of David Dickinson and Douglas Ross to Celtic.
The refereeing spotlight switches to Tynecastle today where John Beaton and Andrew Dallas are in charge. Derek McInnes will know what to expect from that pairing.
With three rounds of fixtures left to play after today it looks like refereeing decisions will play a big part in deciding the title winners.
Typically Sky Sports opted out of replaying the second half incident when Josh Campbell pushed Ben Nygren over in the penalty box.
The ball slithered down his arm ! Which pretty much sums up the snakes that were on duty on the pitch and on VAR duty especially Robinson.
He has to be removed and celtic has to demand the voice record of any exchange that took place between all 3 of the decison makers.