What the SFA told the BBC about Celtic penalty call immediately after Kilmarnock win

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Celtic’s win at Kilmarnock has been clouded in controversy this week. And it’s only Monday.

On top of the Celtic fan protest, the decision to award the Bhoys a penalty has been a hot topic of conversation this morning.

We told how former FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg said the decision by VAR to award Celtic’s penalty was ‘harsh’ on Kilmarnock.

With much debate on social media as fans from other clubs get their knickers in a twist over the penalty decision, the SFA immediately offered their guidance to the BBC shortly after the full-time whistle blew on Celtic’s win at Kilmarnock.

• READ MORE: Chris Sutton hails ‘excellent’ Celtic star and wonders ‘what if’ he had been brought in for the Champions League

The SFA clear up VAR confusion on Celtic’s penalty vs Kilmarnock

With much of the debate centred around the proximity of the Kilmarnock player, the ball and the deflection, the SFA said VAR was correct to award Celtic the penalty with this explanation as read out by Richard Gordon on BBC Radio Scotland.

Gordon said [21m 50s], “I’ve just got some guidance here from the Scottish FA.

“So, ‘The penalty awarded for handball by the Kilmarnock defender whose arm is in an unnatural position, a deflection doesn’t always negate a handball offence.

“He doesn’t know where the ball is going, and his arm is up in an unnatural position to block a shot’.

“So that’s the guidance we’ve been given. I suppose the other thing you would say is that James Forrest’s shot, I mean, it was on target, it was heading towards goal, so perhaps that’s been factored in as well.”

Celtic’s next two tough away fixtures before Scottish Premiership tie vs Hibs

Celtic’s fixtures are coming thick and fast now but Brendan Rodgers does have some respite from the Scottish Premiership until they face Hibs at Parkhead on the 27th of September.

Here is who the Celtic manager is up against:

• Sunday 21st of September: Premier Sports Cup: Partick Thistle vs Celtic
• Wednesday 24th September: UEFA Europa League: FK Crvena Zvezda vs Celtic

Celtic must win both fixtures if they want to make progress towards the treble and get out of the Europa League group phase.

It’s all happening now for the Bhoys but the win at Kilmarnock will be a big confidence boost for Rodgers and his Celtic first-team.