Celtic overcome Dougie Potter as they beat Falkirk

Celtic laboured to a 2-1 home win against Falkirk to maintain their 100% record at the top of the SPFL Premiership.

If Dougie Potter had his way Celtic’s opener would have been disallowed for offside. Fortunately VAR was able to step in and over-rule the flag happy assistant.

Camilo Duran was marginally onside as he ran on to a through ball.

Scott Bain tried to control it as he approached the edge of the penalty are.

When the Falkirk ‘keeper lost possession Potter raised his flag for offside.

As every fan knows assistant referees are instructed to let the incident play out rather than raising their flag to stop play.

Duran put the ball in with Potter raising his flag.

Referee Chris Graham was happy to go with that decision as play paused for the obligatory VAR check.

Greg Aitken reviewed the incident, the lines were drawn, the goal stood with Celtic 1-0 in front.

CELTIC OVERCOME SFA MATCH OFFICIALS

It isn’t the first time that VAR has been required to correct the decision making of Potter.

In May 2025 he achieved a lifetime ambition when he was appointed to referee the Glasgow Derby at Ibrox. Waving his flag in front of the Govan Stand.

During the first half Nico Raskin found the net with a header from a free kick.

Potter failed to notice that the Ibrox midfielder was in an offside position. VAR disallowed the ‘goal’.

It was frenetic. Another set-play looked to have undone the visitors when James Tavernier’s deep cross was met by Raskin and his header crept home. Celebrations were curtailed by a VAR check that deemed him just offside.

In the second half Potter was sharper as Celtic attacked his end of the pitch.

When Adam Idah found the net in the 57th minute Potter raised his flag for offside.

Daizen Maeda escaped down the left. The ball eventually fell to Idah, who turned brilliantly and slammed home via a deflection.

The drama continued as that was called offside, only to be overturned as Maeda was not interfering with Kelly’s view as the ball hit the net, despite being offside.

Apparently he could see that Daizen Maeda was interfering with the vision of Kelly. He wasn’t.

Thankfully VAR corrected the on-pitch decision.

Today’s main issue was Potter raising his flag for offside while the incident was still in play.

No doubt the first edition of the Willie Show will skip that incident as Gordon Duncan carefully sidesteps the big issues.

Linesmans flag and referee’s whistle before the ball goes in the net. Has to be chopped off for referee’s mistake.

— Callum mac (@Braefart2nd) August 29, 2026

This is why VAR gets so much hate, can’t penalise Celtic with disgraceful offside decisions anymore

— C. G. Barrie (@ChrisBarrie75) August 29, 2026