Another VAR shocker as high-profile Ibrox appeal is won; bruised Nick Walsh at Celtic Park tonight

By Hamish Carton

February 1, 2023

Celtic fans and the rest of Scottish football have been left scratching their heads this morning after the latest VAR shocker.

St. Johnstone, weekend opponents for Ange Postecoglou‘s side, have confirmed that an appeal against a red card shown to Nicky Clark has been won.

The forward was sent off by Willie Collum in the 37th minute of the Saints’ defeat to Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday, but a claim of wrongful dismissal has now been accepted.

A clip from Sky Sports on Twitter shows the high-profile incident, with a VAR screen displaying the message “Decision: Red Card, serious foul play”.

It’s understood that Collum didn’t go over to the VAR monitor for the Clark red card, with VAR obviously having a say in the decision that’s now been proven wrong.

On VAR duties at Ibrox on Saturday was Nick Walsh, and it just so happens that he will referee the game at Celtic Park tonight between ourselves and Livingston. (SFA referee appointments)

Collum was certainly the most talked about member of the officiating team on Saturday.

Yesterday, we told you how Saints boss Callum Davidson had blasted a later tackle from Ryan Jack on Celtic loanee Adam Montgomery.

To Walsh’s credit, he did suggest to Collum that the challenge may be worthy of a red. But after consulting the monitor this time, the referee decided against the action.

So yeah, not a great look for officials to still be getting these decisions wrong even with VAR.

Let’s hope for little drama tonight as Walsh takes centre stage at Celtic Park. Colin Steven is on VAR duties.

In other news, there are still plenty of transfers options open for Yosuke Ideguchi