More strange VAR goings-on as Scottish Cup officials revealed; Celtic vs Morton to get full treatment

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Celtic Park will continue with the full VAR treatment when Greenock Morton visit in the Scottish Cup this weekend.

Ange Postecoglou’s side are aiming to win the competition for the first time since 2020, and start their journey against Dougie Imrie’s side on Saturday lunchtime.

The fixture will be the first ever Scottish Cup tie to use the VAR technology, with the officials confirmed today on the SFA website.

Kevin Clancy will ref the match, assisted by Ross Macleod and Alastair Mather. Barry Cook is the fourth official while Craig Napier is on VAR duty and Frank Connor is the assistant VAR.

In early December, we reported that the technology would be used only in matches where a Premiership side was at home.

Now it seems like just three Scottish Cup ties will use VAR – with all live on television.

The chosen matches are Celtic vs Morton, St. Johnstone vs Rangers and Hearts vs Hibernian.

The other matches with Premiership teams at home – including Kilmarnock vs Dumbarton, Dundee United vs University of Stirling and St. Mirren vs Dundee – will not see the technology in use, despite the stadiums being equipped.

The original Scotsman report we cited in December suggested that “an agreement between the two teams” would be required for non televised games, with Premiership clubs taking on most of the cost.

Perhaps, if the technology had made a smooth introduction in to Scottish football, the likes of Kilmarnock and St. Mirren would have paid for it for the one-off matches.

What we’re left with is another inconsistent application of VAR – something Celtic fans have had to get used to over the past three months.

And knowing our luck, it’ll probably have a part to play on Saturday too.

In other news, former Celtic boss Gordon Strachan has been speaking about Ange Postecoglou