As yet, Celtic have yet to come up against VAR. The video assistant referee that have been introduced in many of the bigger leagues in European football.
However, should the Hoops progress in the Europa League, the Hoops could have to face trial by VAR. UEFA have confirmed, as reported by Sky Sports, that VAR will be used in the knockout rounds of the Europa League.
Celtic will be slightly annoyed that the system wasn’t implemented in the group stages. As if had been, the Hoops may have been awarded a penalty against Rennes. Ryan Christie seemed to be brought down in the penalty box.
Would VAR have awarded Hoops a penalty?
However, the penalty wasn’t given. Perhaps VAR would have decided to give the penalty, as it did look like one. Indeed, following the game against Rennes, Neil Lennon claimed that had VAR been used in the match, the Hoops would have been awarded a penalty.
Yet to be introduced to Scottish football
VAR has not yet been introduced in Scotland, despite the BBC reporting in January that referees and managers had a summit which called for the introduction of the process.
One issue could be that according to the BBC report, teams would need to finance its introduction to Scottish football, it would not be paid for by the SFA, for example.
You would imagine though, that VAR will be introduced to Scottish football sooner rather than later. Should the Hoops progress through the group stage in the Europa League, they will get their first taste of one of football’s biggest talking points.
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