Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has delivered a pointed reminder to Rangers and critics of VAR decisions, recalling a similar incident from last season that didn’t go the Ibrox club’s way.
Amid the ongoing fallout from the Premier Sports Cup Final, Rodgers urged everyone to accept that VAR is subject to human error and suggested that Rangers’ complaints are nothing new in the context of derbies.
Referencing an incident from last December at Celtic Park, Rodgers highlighted a controversial moment involving Alistair Johnston and Abdallah Sima. Rangers were furious at the time, believing Johnston had handled the ball inside the box. However, Rodgers pointed out that the controversy was moot, as there was an offside in the build-up which would have nullified any penalty decision upon VAR review.
This didn’t stop Rangers taking the huff, writing to the SFA, complaining about Willie Collum and demanding the VAR audio.
Speaking about the recurring theme of contentious decisions, Rodgers remarked: [Sky Sports]
“I’ve been involved in 20 Celtic Rangers games now and I always feel there’s a narrative sort after the game, in each game.
“Should there have been a penalty? Should there have been a red card? Should they have not? Should there have been a goal? Even penalties that are awarded when it’s offside! So there is always something in the narrative so I can understand why you would maybe look at it. When I see it and evaluate it, the images that I’ve seen, it was probably given for the initial foul which was clearly not on the line. But of course it then moves on and goes on to be the penalty aspect.
“But the bottom line is, whatever happens in the game, you have to get on with it. We can only control what we can and that was to go on and win the game.”
Brendan Rodgers talked on his perspective on the incident:
“It’s always been acknowledged that even with VAR, there’s going to be human error. The guys are not machines.
“They’re looking in a more calmer position rather than a pressurised one of the game. But it’s still about interpretation. Clearly one of the VAR guys felt the initial foul took place away from the incident when it rolled on and that’s his specialised opinion as an official, and an experienced official.
“The VAR will have that element of human error. Sometimes it goes for you and sometimes it goes against you.”
Hopefully the VAR chat will start to cool down now. We’ve had Willie Collum admit the mistake and Alan Muir and Frank Connor removed from this weekend’s fixtures.
It’s made the win even sweeter for Celtic, but it’s getting boring now.
