Martin O’Neill admitted he was uneasy while waiting for VAR to confirm Celtic’s winning goal at Pittodrie on Wednesday night.

Benjamin Nygren thought he had scored the decisive moment when he tapped in from close range after James Forrest drove a low ball across the six-yard box. The assistant referee kept his flag down, but the check that followed took time.

Players stood around the centre circle while officials reviewed the move. Aberdeen defenders pointed for offside. Celtic players waited. It dragged on longer than most expected.

Eventually the goal stood. Nygren’s finish gave Celtic a 2-1 win and lifted the Hoops above Rangers in the table after 29 league games.

The delay was not the only moment that caught O’Neill’s attention. In the first half the ball struck Aberdeen defender Jack Milne on the arm inside the box after a Celtic attack broke down in front of goal.

The referee waved play on and VAR did not intervene. From the stands the contact looked awkward. Milne’s arm was close to his body but not tucked tight against it.

O’Neill felt Celtic had reason to feel frustrated.

He said: (The Scotsman), “It took a long time.

“Then the fourth official is telling me they are looking at two pictures. You’re worried but we saw it through.

“I don’t know about you, but I thought we should’ve had a penalty in the first-half.

“His (Jack Milne’s) hand was in an unnatural position, but it was a tough game.”

The long check added tension late in the match. Aberdeen were still pushing forward and Celtic had not yet secured control of the closing stages.

Once the decision came through, the away end reacted with relief. The players quickly reset and focused on seeing the match out.

The earlier handball moment was different. The ball struck Milne after a Celtic effort in the area and a few players appealed straight away.

Referees often look at how close an arm is to the body and whether the defender has time to react. In this case the officials judged the position natural enough not to award a penalty.

Celtic moved on quickly. The match still needed another push after the break before Nygren’s finish settled it.

For O’Neill, the night still delivered the outcome he needed. The performance felt heavy at times, but the points kept Celtic in the title race with nine games left.