Ange Postecoglou reckoned VAR decisions were reached much quicker in Celtic’s win over St. Mirren last night.
While handballs have dominated the VAR discourse since it’s introduction to Scottish football in October, last night’s big decisions centred around offsides.
Celtic had two goals ruled offside in the second-half, with VAR correctly awarding Kyogo Furuhashi‘s finish soon after.
St. Mirren thought they had taken the lead in the first-half, only for the flag to go up and VAR to back that decision.
Postecoglou has been a critic of VAR’s introduction to Scottish football thus far, but his tone was a little different last night.
“I don’t think anyone has got an issue with offsides, that is what it is there for,” Postecoglou told the media after the game, via the Scotsman.
“It was fairly quick tonight, and I’m assuming they got them all right, so it’s all good.”
While the thought of Postecoglou praising VAR may have seemed unlikely, it’s easy to see why he was a bit happier with the technology last night.
The delays weren’t as substantial while Celtic would only have won 3-0 had it not been for VAR stepping in.
It was more promising signs, but the SFA and officials should still be striving for better.
The team’s second goal of night was also subject to a check, but only for a matter of seconds.
Kyogo Furuhashi was marginally onside when found by an exquisite Reo Hatate pass, before netting with a stunning lob over Trevor Carson.
St. Mirren boss Stephen Robinson was in awe of the moment of magic too.
He said: The second goal is an incredible finish, sometimes you have to hold your hands up.”
The goal was sublime and a perfect illustration of what Celtic’s best players can do when combining.
So often last season, Kyogo seemed to make runs that weren’t picked up on by his team-mates. Now, the understanding is really there.
In other news, Kenny Dalglish will manage against Celtic in a charity fixture in March
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