Keith Hackett

Tue 1 November 2022 11:25, UK

Keith Hackett has backed Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou to hold talks with the Scottish FA about the application of the handball law.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee delivered his verdict after Celtic were awarded a penalty for handball during their 3-0 win over Livingston on Sunday (30 October).

Last week in the 4-3 win over Hearts (22 October), Postecoglou’s side were denied a spot-kick for an alleged handball by Michael Smith.

At Tynecastle, Nick Walsh waved away their appeals and VAR did not feel the need to intervene.

Against Livingston Willie Collum was sent to the pitchside monitor when a Jota cross hit the arm of Andrew Shinnie.

Collum overturned his on-field decision and awarded Celtic a penalty that Giorgos Giakoumakis missed.

“Ultimately, at the end of the day, this is what we are going to get with VAR,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.

“It allows the referee to have a second look and clarify. It’s the correct decision.

“They’ve introduced VAR and I think they’ve done some great training and referees are on the same page on handball.

“The only area that’s doubtful is the distance from the ball but they’ve clearly got that ironed out.

“What we saw this weekend is a consistency on handball that we are not seeing in the Premier League.

“They’ve reviewed the first week’s operations and the boss has agreed they want this penalising.

“Hopefully the managers of the teams in Scotland will see was the process is. I do hope there is a line of communication for the managers to the boss of the referees and the Scottish FA so they can explain the process.”

In other news, Celtic have been told to green light a David Turnbull move after the latest development.