VAR is probably the most talked about subject in Scottish football and the Celtic fans since it was introduced in 2022.

The refereeing technology was brought in to help simplify decision-making and eradicate refereeing errors but all it has done is create controversy, division and suspicion in the game.

We discussed earlier today how the Head of Referees, Willie Collum, has met with SPFL and Celtic officials to discuss VAR and more this week.

The controversy surrounding the use of the system has overtaken the talk about the actual football on display and Collum will be hoping that he, alongside player liaison Craig Beattie, can help implement the use of the system more fairly and consistently.

So that got me thinking. Since the introduction of VAR, Celtic have been the victim of some crazy decisions from the video referee.

And here are the five worst of them ranked since VAR was introduced to Scottish football and the Celtic fans’ lives in October 2022.

5. Matt O’Riley handball vs Ross County November 2022

The 2-1 win over Ross County by Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic was overshadowed by this bizarre handball given against Celtic midfielder, Matt O’Riley.

Have a look at this:

The decision to award the penalty was clearly a very harsh one but indicative of VAR officials using the technology to find infringements rather than eradicate mistakes.

O’Riley said of VAR after the decision, “We have had some strange decisions go against us, but they still can’t stop us, so that’s alright.”

4. James Forrest penalty claim vs Hearts October 2022

This was Celtic’s introduction to VAR. An away trip to Tynecastle is always tough and this 4-3 win over Robbie Nielson’s side was overshadowed by a high-profile VAR mistake.

As James Forrest was making a foray into the Tynecastle side’s penalty box, he flicked the ball and it played off of Hearts defender, Michael Smith’s outstretched arm.

VAR failed to award the spot-kick and it was a decision that clearly upset Ange Postecoglou.

Postecoglou said, “Look, I thought we had a clear-cut handball and penalty but apparently that’s not good enough – what do I know?

“We haven’t had a penalty all year and I keep hearing opposition managers saying we get everything. The only penalties we have taken so far this season have been in training.

3. Alexandro Bernabei handball vs Dundee United November 2022

Another game during VAR’s infancy and another poor penalty decision was given against Celtic for an Alexandro Bernabei handball.

The Argentine attempted to head the ball away in the penalty box and his trailing arm (which was behind him) made contact with the ball.

There was nothing the Celtic defender could do to avoid it but it didn’t stop VAR from interfering and awarding a penalty to Dundee United.

The handball enraged Ange Postecoglou when he said, “The way it looks now, apart from if we’re playing Hearts away if it hits your hand in the box it’s a penalty.

“I don’t know why they bother with natural or unnatural. Bernabei wasn’t even looking at the ball – how is he supposed to know his ball is in an unnatural position?”

2. Connor Goldson handball vs Rangers January 2023

One of the most high-profile mistakes of the season, the Connor Goldson handball is still much talked about by the Celtic supporters.

As Carl Starfelt aimed a shot at the Rangers goal from just outside the box, Goldson handled with two hands as he blocked the effort.

And despite Celtic being penalised for a lot less against Ross County and Dundee United, the decision was no penalty by the match referee, John Beaton and VAR.

What made it more controversial is that Celtic were awarded a penalty against them after Fashion Sakala tripped on Carl Starfelt’s trailing leg. A trip that the Rangers forward was caught sneakily celebrating after appearing to look injured.

1. Tomoki Iwata handball vs Hearts March 2024

The most controversial decision of last season, the fallout from the Tomoki Iwata handball was incredible.

As the title race hotted up, Celtic travelled to Hearts for a tough away fixture to keep their defence of the title alive.

Not long after being reduced to ten men for a debatable red card against Hyunjun Yang, this happened:

Both decisions caused Brendan Rodgers to openly criticise the match officials and John Beaton on VAR which led to the Celtic boss being banned from the dugout for one match.

Thankfully, in the long run, the decision only cost Celtic three points and not the title but it did spark massive criticism and shone a huge spotlight on how the officials were using VAR to come to some decisions.

The Celtic supporters hold a deep distrust of the refereeing technology, as do most if not all Scottish football supporters, so let’s hope there is a huge improvement next season as Rodgers looks to defend his title.

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