The Scottish Premiership title race took another twist this weekend, but not solely on the pitch. A controversial VAR decision in Celtic’s 2-1 defeat to Hibernian at Easter Road has sparked outrage from Celtic manager Martin O’Neill and captain Callum McGregor, overshadowing the on-field result and raising questions about the increasing influence of video review in the game.
The flashpoint occurred in the 74th minute when Celtic defender Auston Trusty was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Hibs’ Jamie McGrath. While the initial contact appeared minimal, VAR intervened, prompting referee Kevin Clancy to review the incident and ultimately issue the dismissal for what was deemed “violent conduct.” Immediately following the red card, Celtic were denied a penalty when Liam Scales was brought down inside the box.
O’Neill, visibly frustrated after the match, expressed his bewilderment at the decision. “I’ve just had a word with the referee,” he said. “He said he was going to just have a word with the two players then VAR intervened and said it was violent conduct.” He went on to criticize the current reliance on VAR, stating, “You can’t do this if that’s the rules now. It doesn’t matter if someone is holding on to you. You can’t, in an attempt to break away, you can’t thrust down in the manner in which he did.”
The manager’s comments highlight a growing concern among managers and players about the subjective nature of VAR decisions and the potential for over-officiating. The incident at Easter Road is unlikely to quell those anxieties.
Celtic captain Callum McGregor echoed O’Neill’s sentiments, questioning the consistency of applying such a strict interpretation of the rules. “To win a title you need a lot of things to fall for you, you need good decisions. Obviously, the one on Sunday, in my opinion, is a bad decision,” McGregor stated. He further argued that the type of contact that led to Trusty’s dismissal is commonplace in the physical nature of the game. “Auston probably gives them the chance to send him off but I think if we’re all honest, that happens in every single corner kick, free-kick in the game, has been for the last 150 years. To send him off for that, we may as well all go up the road and stop playing football if that’s going to be a red card every single week.”
The red card undoubtedly shifted the momentum of the match, with Hibernian ultimately securing a late 2-1 victory thanks to an 87th-minute goal from Kai Andrews. Celtic had taken the lead earlier in the game, but were forced to play the final 16 minutes with ten men, significantly impacting their ability to control the game and see out the result.
Hibs head coach David Gray offered a contrasting perspective, defending the VAR decision. “You can’t lift your hands with that aggression. That’s violent conduct and a clear and obvious red,” Gray asserted. His view underscores the differing interpretations of the incident and the challenges faced by referees in making split-second decisions, even with the aid of video technology.
The defeat represents a significant setback for Celtic in the title race, allowing their rivals to close the gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership table. While O’Neill acknowledged the team’s performance had moments of quality – “I thought we played some really fantastic football” – he conceded that the sending-off proved decisive. “The sending off obviously had a big effect, we had all the momentum at that stage.”
O’Neill also alluded to a broader trend of VAR intervention, stating, “Well, they’ve been doing it for years now, so that’s not going to change.” This suggests a growing acceptance, albeit reluctant, that VAR is now an integral part of the game, and teams must adapt to its influence.
The controversy surrounding the Trusty red card is likely to fuel further debate about the role and application of VAR in Scottish football. The incident raises questions about the threshold for violent conduct, the consistency of decision-making, and the impact of VAR on the flow and spirit of the game. As the title race intensifies, every decision will be scrutinized, and the spotlight will remain firmly on the performance of both the on-field officials and those operating in the VAR booth.
Celtic will need to regroup quickly and focus on their upcoming fixtures, but the lingering frustration over the weekend’s events is sure to be a talking point in the days ahead. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the fine margins that can separate success and failure in a fiercely competitive league.
