Celtic news: Ex-Fifa official issues ‘VAR’ claim as Daizen Maeda ‘penalty’ v Rangers analysed
Keith Hackett has questioned whether Scottish football needs VAR after Willie Collum’s “outstanding performance” in Rangers’ 2-1 loss to Celtic on Sunday (3 April).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee highlighted Collum’s decision not to award Celtic a penalty for Allan McGregor’s challenge on Daizen Maeda.
As shown on the BBC’s Sportscene programme, Maeda was one-on-one with McGregor in the first half before going down after prodding the ball past the Rangers goalkeeper.
McGregor’s trailing left leg seemed to catch the 24-year-old who went to the ground but Collum waved away Celtic’s appeals for a spot-kick.
“He got it right,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“He’s continued his run, made up the ground and is in a great position.
“When players turn and see that the referee is that close to the incident they accept the decision. This is why I argue week in, week out about a lot of referees in the English Premier League not being mobile enough.
“This guy was mobile throughout. When those quick breaks happened he made up the ground. Throughout the afternoon he was within close proximity of play.
“I have no doubt that he was making his presence felt not just through his position but saying something as well. He’s an outstanding referee.
“If I’m the Scottish FA and I’ve seen that game and the enjoyment that came from it, I’m thinking ‘Do we need VAR? What will we lose?'”
“What we saw was playing getting on with it and trusting the referee. It was outstanding and a great match, great entertainment.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has tipped more Celtic stars to follow Ben Doak to England as the impact of Brexit is revealed.