Celtic’s Europa League defeat to Braga was overshadowed by a baffling VAR call that left even neutral pundits in shock. Kelechi Iheanacho’s second-half strike was scrubbed off in circumstances no one in the studio could make sense of.
The striker latched onto a through ball and fired home to bring Celtic level. Replays showed the ball clearly glancing off his forehead, but VAR ruled it a handball and the referee was not asked to check the monitor.
McFadden Calls Celtic Decision “Baffling”
On BBC coverage, James McFadden was stunned. “I can’t either,” he said after the host admitted he couldn’t see a handball.
“For the referee to give it, I don’t even know how good a position he’s in to see it,” McFadden added. “From every angle I’ve looked at, it comes off his forehead.”
He insisted there was no infringement, describing it as “a baffling decision” that should have been corrected. It was a moment that angered Celtic supporters who had already endured a night of frustration.
But the truth is that while Celtic had every right to feel wronged by VAR, the team’s own display gave little cause for optimism. Beyond the controversy, Brendan Rodgers’ side were sluggish, predictable and short of confidence in key moments.
The flaws in Celtic’s play are becoming harder to ignore. Passing was safe, the attacking patterns were flat, and the lack of spark in midfield left the side toothless when they needed a response.
Even though the disallowed goal was a shocker, it does not mask the underlying problem. Celtic are struggling badly, and unless the performances improve, officiating will not be the only reason the campaign slips away.
‘I’ve looked really hard and I can’t see any infringement at all’ ✋
James McFadden believes Kelechi Iheanacho’s disallowed goal should have stood ⤵️#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/8edXwRluoZ
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) October 2, 2025
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