Why Kris Boyd is bang on to question John Beaton’s officiating as Celtic beat Motherwell 

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When Kris Boyd recently criticised John Beaton’s officiating as Celtic beat Motherwell on Saturday, he highlighted a frustrating reality in the Scottish game.

The introduction of VAR has created a safety net that is slowly stripping experienced officials of their on-pitch conviction, and Celtic fans have watched their team be on the receiving end of many questionable calls.

That was proven when Daizen Maeda was hauled to the ground inside the penalty area by Emmanuel Longelo. It was a blatant foul that denied a clear goalscoring opportunity following a corner.

Speaking 24 hours after the incident, Boyd was correct to voice his concern over Beaton’s actions.

“John Beaton is one of the experienced referees,” Boyd told Sky Sports. “He shouldn’t need to go to VAR to see that’s a clear penalty all day long.”

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John Beaton fails to spot Celtic’s penalty during win over Motherwell

At the time of the incident, Celtic and Motherwell were level, when Longelo and Maeda were tussling with one another at the near post during a corner, before the former took it a step too far.

Moments after the incident occurred, Beaton waved play on in real time, despite the Celtic protests.

It took an intervention from the VAR monitor before the referee finally awarded the penalty and issued a red card to Longelo.

This major decision shifted the momentum and helped Celtic secure a 3-1 victory over Motherwell, but Beaton’s inability to spot that without VAR is a worry.

You can listen to Celtic fans moan about why he didn’t spot that call all day long, but when Boyd is questioning it on Sky Sports Football (15/03/26), then you know it’s an issue, because it will probably happen again and again.

“For me to speak on the red card, it was a red card,” said Boyd. “But the worry, for me, would be the referees. Why are you not making (the decision)?

“John Beaton is one of the experienced referees. He shouldn’t need to go to VAR to see that’s a clear penalty all day long. You can see that straightaway. It is a clear penalty kick, no doubt about it.”