Chris Sutton Slams ‘Baffling’ Celtic Var Decision

Chris Sutton has praised Celtic for finding a way past St Johnstone while also questioning the decision that denied the Hoops a second goal at McDiarmid Park.

Martin O’Neill’s side made it six Premiership wins from six with a 1-0 victory in Perth, Mika Baur scoring the only goal of the game early in the second half.

Celtic were made to work for it after a frustrating opening 45 minutes, with St Johnstone limiting the Hoops to half-chances while Sam Johnstone was forced into a strong save on his debut.

Sutton felt Celtic improved after the break and was pleased with the way they eventually took control.

Clean sheet and another big 3 points for Celtic. Frustrating final ball in the first half. Got there in the end. Baur neat and tidy with the all important goal. Maybe unfortunate not to win by more after a baffling decision by the assistant when he thought the ball went out…

— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) September 9, 2026

Baur’s finish was his first for Celtic and came after Haissem Hassan drove a low ball across the box.

The midfielder arrived in the right area and turned it home from close range to give O’Neill’s side the breakthrough they had been searching for.

Celtic then thought they had doubled their advantage when Hassan finished after Kasper Høgh headed Sebastian Tounekti’s delivery back across goal.

The assistant ruled that the ball had gone out before Høgh made contact, and VAR did not have the camera angle needed to overturn the decision.

Sutton was far from convinced by the call.

That incident will continue to attract attention after Sky Sports commentator Ian Crocker explained that VAR had to stay with the on-field decision because the ball had gone out of the camera frame.

Celtic still saw the game out without conceding, with Baur’s goal enough to keep their perfect league start intact.

The Hoops now turn their attention to Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against Rangers at Ibrox.