Former SFA referees criticise the ‘baffling’ use of VAR during Celtic vs Rangers game

Celtic’s win over Rangers at the weekend was almost without controversy, as Brendan Rodgers’ side stretched their lead over the Ibrox club at the top of the table.

Celtic’s dominance was clear to see as Rangers couldn’t live with the pace and quality of the Hoops attack.

Match referee, John Beaton, didn’t need to brandish any red cards despite 23 fouls being committed combined by both teams.

However, four Celtic players were booked and five from Rangers went into the book including coach, Alex Rae.

So in terms of discipline, the game passed without much controversy. But when it came to the one big flashpoint, the application of VAR to come to a decision seems to have left two former SFA referees unimpressed.

Match referee, John Beaton, didn’t need to brandish any red cards despite 23 fouls being committed combined by both teams.

However, four Celtic players were booked and five from Rangers went into the book including coach, Alex Rae.

So in terms of discipline, the game passed without much controversy. But when it came to the one big flashpoint, the application of VAR to come to a decision seems to have left two former SFA referees unimpressed.

The ‘baffling’ VAR decision to rule Kyogo’s goal offside

Former SFA Grade 1 referees Des Roache and Steve Conroy air their views on refereeing standards in Scotland in their Behind The Whistles podcast.

And through their social media account on X, they posted this view on Kyogo Furuhashi‘s goal against Rangers being ruled offside by VAR by the pictures provided at Celtic Park.

1. The multi-post said, “As we’ve said with all of these daft crayon lines. And poor camera angles. We are to just accept that Hawkeye gives a straight line even if looks way off by the pitch. The Hawkeye aspect is “calibrated”. The attaching lines are applied by hand. They draw it off the “sleeve line”.