Celtic fans have given VAR the red card after a stormy win at Motherwell on Wednesday.
Josh Morris’ challenge on Carl Starfelt that saw the Well man escape with a booking had Hotline Hoops fuming while the offside call that denied Jota a second half goal was dubbed a “disgrace”.
Henry Moffat, Stirling, blasted: “Celtic need to take action about the laughable bias being shown against them weekly by VAR. How the two-footed lunge on Starfelt is not a red card but the follow through tackle by Livingston’s Morgan Boyes against Rangers is, is an utter joke. We’re seeing two shocking decisions per game going against Celtic and none against Rangers since this farce started.” Paul Price, Belfast, said: “That’s two matches in a row a player should’ve been sent off against Celtic. The tackle on Giakoumakis on Saturday was especially a shocker. Ref David Dickinson had a shocker and wasn’t much better in the VAR room on Wednesday. It’s a cert he’s VAR for the next Old Firm match.”
With tongue planted firmly in cheek, John Melrose, Edinburgh , said: “I must admit I got the call for Jota’s goal wrong. After seeing the first VAR view of the goal which looked onside I was then proved wrong by the CCTV from the hot dog stall at the other end of the pitch which clearly proved that it was well offside. Well done again VAR.”
Charles Buchanan emailed: “VAR is an absolutely disgrace. How could they say Jota’s goal was offside with the angle that they showed? And with the linesman flagging right away - but then it takes them three minutes to decide?”
Celtic’s performance at Fir Park was also questioned while their decision not to release players for Scotland duty next week prompted one tongue-in-cheek call. Kenny Wilson, Moffat, said: “Another average performance from Celtic against a well organised Motherwell team. Our midfield was as bad as I’ve seen for a long time with Hatate looking like he was running through treacle all night. But three points again and winning when playing bad wins you leagues.”
Neil Renton, Edinburgh, said: “I don’t see the problem with Celtic making their players unavailable for the Scotland friendly. Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou seems to have been using the same method when it comes to his team playing in Europe.”
Rangers steadied the ship with a 1-0 win over Hearts hours after posting healthy annual accounts that showed a £5m profit.
Eddie Easson, Ballingry, said: “Credit where it is due, Rangers have at last shown a profit in their yearly accounts. But that will only paper over the cracks. Their team look nothing like they did last season. A £5m profit is a drop in the ocean as far as player signings goes. They have an ageing squad with some who could walk for free. The pressure is still GVB.”
Lewis Doyle, Tipperary, said: “Just when things looked bleak Rangers report a profit. No excuses now as they can put meat in their pies. But then again the profit could just about buy out Gio to leave. What a quandary for the board! Get meat or get rid of Gio. You couldn't make it up.”
Elsewhere, Kilmarnock plunged to the Premiership basement with a horror 4-0 defeat at previous bottom dogs Dundee United and Killie callers are losing patience.
Jim McClean, Rothesay, fumed: “What a sorry state Killie are in. I said at the beginning of the season we are favourites to go down and it is proving correct, there was not one decent player on the pitch last night. Derek McInnes keep’ changing the team every week, he is clueless. Championship here we come,”
Tom Paterson, Falkirk, blasted: “McInnes must take a lot of the blame for us being where we are - he left out our two best midfielders Power and MacKenzie in the starting eleven v Dundee Utd and has too many players that are just not Premiership class in his squad. Unless he buys well in the next window we are heading back through the trapdoor. Time for a reality check.”
James Murray, Cumnock, added: “I hope there’s still money left for new players as promised at the end of last season and not all spent on back room staff and managerial contracts as the current players don’t seem near good enough for Premiership.”
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