Former SFA referee’s strange dig at Dermot Gallagher over unseen Celtic Park flashpoint vs Kilmarnock

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Celtic have been at the centre of many VAR controversies since the technology was introduced back in October 2022.

Brendan Rodgers has seen the video referee cost his team points this season and last after games Celtic lost against Hearts at Tynecastle and, more recently, against Hibs at Easter Road.

Those are just the tip of the iceberg and Celtic fans know there have been many more ridiculous VAR decisions that have gone against their team.

However, at the weekend in Celtic’s win over Kilmarnock, there appeared to be a claim that Arne Engels could have seen red after an off-the-ball challenge on Kilmarnock’s Liam Donnelly, which has now been addressed by Dermot Gallagher and ex-SFA referee Steve Conroy.

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Dermot Gallagher’s Arne Engles red card verdict at Celtic Park was correct

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, Dermot Gallagher was running his eye over the Engels red card claim and unequivocally gave a correct verdict.

Gallagher told Ref Watch, “He collides with him, but it’s not a red card. You would be gutted to be sent off for that.”

A fair and balanced call by Gallagher and not one many would disagree with. However, former SFA referee Steve Conroy had his say on the potential red card claim and what he said was a bit bizarre.

Ex-SFA referee not ‘heard a single thing’ about Arne Engels’ Celtic red card claim

Conroy seemed baffled that this was even a talking point and took a dig at Gallagher whilst agreeing with the former FIFA referee’s Engels verdict.

Conroy told The Ref’s View [9m 30s], “Some of the things I’ve heard from Dermot Gallagher beggar belief anyway, but I’ve been off and on the internet and the various platforms and I haven’t heard a single thing about it so whatever it is hasn’t raised anybody’s hackles up here.”

Quite why the dig at Gallagher was needed, as the former EPL referee is generally very balanced in his views.

However, it appears that on this occasion, VAR got this decision correct and Engels was, rightly, exonerated.

For Celtic fans, the Scottish Cup beckons, where they will be hoping that VAR does not interfere with
Bremdan Rodgers’ potential treble bid.