Celtic were awarded a penalty for the first time this season after Jota’s cross was blocked by the hand of a Livingston player.
Giorgos Giakoumakis missed the eventual spot kick which was awarded by Willie Collum after using VAR to check the incident.
The Hoops felt aggrieved to have not been awarded a penalty last week in the 4-3 victory at Tynecastle after the ball struck the hand of Michael Smith.
Thankfully VAR did not play as huge as prominent a role in the victory at Livingston with it only being used once to check the penalty which the Hoops were awarded.
As always on a Monday, former English Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher was able to have his say on the incidents on Sky Sports News.
“I think it is one that we see in the Premier League regularly. The ball does strike the hand. No doubt about it,” said Dermot Gallagher speaking on Sky Sports News
“The refereee can’t see it because body is obscured. It goes to VAR, he gives a goal-kick – I can understand he can’t see it – and when he is sent to the VAR.
“This is what he can’t see [Willie Collum]. It is above the shoulder and that is what we talk about. Anything up there, Rob. They’ve been consistent in the Premier League and the SPFL. They’ve given them.”
Many fans want to see consistency in decision making across the board and it should be clearly defined as to what is and isn’t a penalty.
Having only had VAR for a full week it has quickly become a talking point in the Scottish game which people had hoped it wouldn’t have.
The technology should be used to assist referees in their decision making without the whole drama around it. People will hope that is begins to attract less attention but nobody will be holding their breath waiting on that.
