Jim Goodwin raised concerns after Dundee United’s 4-0 defeat at Celtic Park, focusing on a first-half challenge by Julian Araujo on Will Ferry.
The challenge came midway through the first half as Araujo attempted to halt a Dundee United break down the left. Nick Walsh was well positioned and immediately produced a yellow card. VAR checked the incident and quickly confirmed the on-field decision.
Play resumed without delay and the match moved on as Celtic continued to dominate. Dundee United struggled to gain any foothold after that point. The challenge did not alter the flow of the game or Celtic’s control.
After the match, Goodwin was asked about the tackle and its impact on his player. He expressed concern over how the challenge was judged. His comments came despite the fact the incident had already been reviewed by VAR.
He said: (SunSport), “I thought the Celtic defender was a little out of control if I am honest.
“Will Ferry took a real sore one. VAR seemed to skim over it pretty quickly, I don’t think there was a call for the referee or anything.
“If they are satisfied with that, then it’s fine but for us, Will was certainly caught high on the ankle.”
The context around the incident is straightforward. The referee saw the challenge clearly and deemed it worthy of a booking. VAR then reviewed the footage and found no reason to intervene further.
That process exists to address clear errors rather than rejudge every physical challenge. Once the review was complete, the decision stood and the game continued. There was no further issue raised during the match.
Araujo completed his first start without any additional disciplinary problems. He stayed composed and carried out his role within Celtic’s defensive shape. The booking did not affect his contribution.
Celtic went on to score four goals and keep a clean sheet. The match was decided by quality and control rather than controversy. The tackle quickly became a minor detail in a one-sided contest.
VAR’s involvement removed any uncertainty from the decision. The check was completed and the officials were satisfied with the outcome. Under those conditions, there is no basis for further complaint.
Goodwin’s frustration is understandable given the scoreline and the lack of momentum for his side. Dundee United spent long periods defending and chasing the ball. In that context, isolated moments can take on greater importance.
However, once VAR has reviewed an incident and supported the referee, the matter is settled. The system worked as intended. The yellow card remained the correct decision.
The game will be remembered for Celtic’s authority rather than a single challenge. The officials applied the laws of the game. Both the result and the decisions stood without issue.
This tackle was a free kick! Nothing more, nothing less!
Let’s be totally honest and transparent here!
Ferry was SO BADLY INJURED, it was he himself who got up and knocked the long free kick into the Celtic penalty area!
Furthermore, the ref was right there, and if there was anything he could have done to penalize Celtic, HE WOULD HAVE! IT IS THEIR MANDATE!
As for Andrew Dallas on VAR, don’t make me laugh!
You can say it any way you like, but the is without question the most corrupt, anti-Celtic referee in Scottish football since his father was exposed and forced out for being the same. Well, he was forced out because he had been exposed, NOT because he is corrupt! That is normal in Scotland!
Dallas just didn’t have enough time to alter the footage adequately to make it look more dangerous!
So Jim, quit the excuses! At four goals you got off very lightly by at least four more, even WITH your players diving to the turf like olympic swimmers whenever a Celtic player was within three feet of them! Of the 22% possession United had throughout the game, at least 75% of that was clearances from their own penalty area!