Celtic’s victory over Heart of Midlothian last weekend produced two main flashpoints as the latest round of VAR decisions left supporters with plenty to discuss.
Firstly, the visitors were initially awarded a penalty for a Liam Scales handball that was overturned after an on-field review by referee Colin Steven.
On closer inspection, the slow-motion replay of the incident showed that the ball hit the Irishman above the t-shirt line, resulting in no spot-kick being given and a post-match rant from Steven Naismith.
The Hearts manager also took issue with the penalty Celtic inherited courtesy of James Penrice’s outstretched arm that blocked a cross from Nicolas Kuhn. With a hop, a skip, and a jump, Arne Engels delivered his first Celtic goal from the 12 yards in cool fashion to open his account for the Bhoys.
Speaking on Ref Watch, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has now given his verdict on both decisions.
Dermot Gallagher’s verdict on Celtic vs Hearts flashpoints
Live on Sky Sports, Gallagher believes that Steven got both decisions correct as Celtic went on to defeat Hearts on home soil but sympathised with the visitors for the spot-kick awarded against them.
He stated, firstly, on the incident involving Scales: “I think this falls in line with what we talked about earlier Rob, that you look at that last year (and) it would definitely be given as a penalty.
“I think not; his arm is in a position you expect him to be making that challenge; he’s gone to head the ball; he wants balance. I think he was quite right to send him over to the screen and drop the ball rather than give a penalty.”
Later, he added on the Penrice handball: “This is the problem, isn’t it? This is the hole we sometimes dig ourselves as referees. In this one, he says the arm is outstretched there to block the cross; you see the way the player reacts will tell you he was trying to get his arm in very quickly. I think that’s given because his arm is outstretched.”
Ultimately, Celtic prevailed last weekend and deservedly so, putting on another encouraging display that has solidified their position at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Penalty awards are often contentious, bringing VAR to the forefront, but the referee made two calls that probably matched up to the correct outcome.
While Hearts stew over what could’ve been, the Bhoys have bigger fish to fry and will swiftly move on to preparations for their Champions League clash against Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday.
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