Des Roache probably summed up the frustration around VAR better than anyone after Celtic’s chaotic afternoon against Hibernian. The controversy surrounding Joe Newell’s equaliser was always going to dominate discussion, but the bigger issue was how the decision-making process unfolded in front of everyone watching.
Celtic eventually secured a 2-1 victory at Easter Road, but the debate over VAR once again overshadowed large parts of the match.
The real frustration, however, was not simply whether Newell handled the ball. It was the growing feeling that VAR itself had become the lead decision-maker during major incidents rather than assisting the referee on the pitch.
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Des Roache highlighted the exact problem with VAR
Speaking after the match, Des Roache made a point that many Celtic supporters immediately recognised as the heart of the issue.
Roache said: “The thing that I thought was very evident, now we’ve also got another instance going four major incidents from this, I don’t think David Dickinson went across to do an onfield review at any point. It was all done through VAR.
“And to me, that’s VAR refereeing the game. So that’s like re-refereeing. It’s not the official being told, ‘Why don’t you come across and do it?’ Then it’s his opinion.
“And what does it say? Video Assistant Referee. It’s there to assist. It’s not ‘Video I’ll Make The Decision Referee’. That’s not what it should be. But that is the video assistant referee making the decision.”
That criticism matters because it directly clashes with the IFAB VAR protocol, which states that VAR should only assist referees in cases involving “clear and obvious” errors.
The same protocol also states that the final decision should always remain with the referee. That is why the lack of visible on-field reviews during contentious moments against Hibs became such a talking point afterwards.
The Joe Newell incident showed why Celtic supporters are losing trust
The controversy surrounding the Joe Newell equaliser only strengthened the argument Roache was making.
Multiple replay angles appeared to show contact with Newell’s arm before the ball crossed the line. Even the Sky Sports panel covering the match openly struggled to understand why the goal was eventually allowed to stand.
James McFadden admitted he was surprised the goal stood, while Kris Boyd also acknowledged that it looked like handball. The common theme throughout the discussion was uncertainty.
That uncertainty was also reflected in Michael Stewart’s assessment of the incident. Stewart defended the final outcome by arguing that the available footage was “inconclusive” and therefore insufficient to overturn the original decision.
But that explanation also exposes the weakness in the system. If multiple replays, lengthy checks and prolonged discussions still leave pundits debating “gut instinct” and interpretation, then Celtic supporters inevitably start questioning whether VAR is actually delivering greater clarity at all.
Celtic fans can accept mistakes. Football has always involved controversial decisions and human error. What becomes harder to accept is a system designed to remove confusion instead creating even more of it.
That is why Roache’s comments resonated so strongly after Easter Road. The frustration is no longer only about individual calls. It is increasingly about who is truly refereeing the match once VAR becomes involved.
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