BBC pundit left fuming live on air at referee’s actions during Celtic’s win vs St Johnstone

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The Video Assistant referee, VAR, to me and you, has divided opinion ever since it was introduced into football.

Back in 2022, Scotland officially boarded the controversial train and began using VAR, with Celtic having to pay most of the costs because they are the champions.

On Saturday afternoon, Aberdeen beat Hearts in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden, with two men sent off for Neil Critchley’s men, and extra time needed for the Dons’ winner.

Celtic’s win over St Johnstone was far more comfortable on Sunday afternoon, including four first-half goals from the Treble-chasers, with VAR called into action during the second period, even when the game was gone.

• READ MORE: Five things we learned as five-star Celtic hammer St Johnstone to book Scottish Cup final spot

Referee’s call to award James Forrest a penalty slammed as Celtic beat St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup semi-final

Everyone wants James Forrest to get his goal, and in his last two starts, where Celtic have netted ten goals, he will be gutted that he hasn’t found the back of the net yet.

Forrest was awarded a penalty in the second half when he tried dancing his way inside the penalty area and through a lot of bodies.

The on-field referee, Calum Scott, awarded a spot-kick to the dismay of Allan Preston, who was live on commentary for BBC Radio Scotland, alongside Pat Bonner.

“The referee doesn’t see this,” screamed Preston. “I don’t think the referee sees it for the bodies in front of him. It takes him so long to make a decision here.”

Bonner added: “I think somebody has called that, other than the referee. It didn’t look (like a penalty). He may have been clipped. It’s a magnificent run into the box.”

Preston then continued: “We are giving penalties for that? He runs across him. That’s not a penalty, for me. I don’t think the referee sees it. I really don’t. I think he has guessed here – from where he is, I am not sure he sees it. There are that many bodies in front of him.

“He has guessed. The crowd has got to him, and he has given a penalty kick. We said, and we are 150 yards from it, ‘it’s not a penalty’.

Forrest penalty overturned

After consulting VAR, the on-field referee was then told to go to his monitor, and he overturned his penalty call.

For the overall package of the game, it didn’t matter much because the game was wrapped up.

But, for Forrest himself, he did have a look of disbelief on his face at the referee overturning his penalty, and hopefully, that goal will come sooner rather than later.