‘They said’ – James McFadden explains why VAR denied St Mirren a penalty vs Celtic amid Kris Boyd rant

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VAR caused some controversy in Celtic’s win over St Mirren yesterday afternoon.

The Bhoys’ win at the SMISA Stadium was Brendan Rodgers’ 24th win out of 29 games in a season where Celtic have pretty much blown away all the competition in Scotland.

And as the Celtic manager counts down the days to when the Hoops can win the league title, VAR has caused more controversy this weekend after St Mirren was denied a supposed penalty kick.

Stephen Robinson was convinced VAR had made a mistake and it seems that the Sky Sports pundit panel of James McFadden, former Celtic manager Neil Lennon and Kris Boyd all agree.

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Kris Boyd’s ‘studs’ rant at Celtic’s Alistair Johnston vs St Mirren

Boyd went on his usual rant as the Sky Sports pundit lost the plot at Celtic not being punished by the video referee.

Boyd told Sky Sports, “I can’t believe that this penalty has not been given.

“Listen, there’s a little touch, a slight touch on the ball, but he goes through and absolutely wipes him out.

“You can see there that it’s been, this is studs right into the ankle. I mean, I cannot believe a penalty kick has not been given.

“You run the risk when you’re challenging like that and you follow it right through. For me, it’s a penalty kick, and by the way, it’s above the ankle as well.”

James McFadden ‘can’t believe’ St Mirren did not get a penalty vs Celtic

Boyd’s co-pundit, James McFadden, agreed that a penalty should have been given but did explain the reason why VAR thought the challenge by Alistair Johnston on St Mirren’s Roland Idowu was legal.

McFadden said, “They said if there is a touch on the ball, it’s a natural football contact. That’s a penalty for me.

“The thing about it is that the ball comes towards the goalkeeper, so he does get the first touch, then there’s a touch from Idowu and then he catches him.

“It’s a penalty. I can’t believe they looked at that and felt it was a fair challenge.”

No doubt this controversy will carry on throughout next week or at least until someone from the SFA or Willie Collum comes out to give a proper explanation as to why the penalty was not given.

Because as Celtic have already found out with VAR, mistakes by the video refereeing system affects the Parkhead club too.