Ex-Fifa official: Football has changed forever for Celtic and Rangers as new details emerge
Keith Hackett has claimed an increased number of penalties in the Scottish Premiership is “the new normal” for Celtic and Rangers following VAR’s introduction.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee predicted an increased number of red cards and decisions given for handball offences.
As per stats from Pie and Bovril (via Twitter, as of 27 December), just 17 penalties were awarded in the 63 Scottish Premiership games played without VAR this season (0.27 penalties per game).
Conversely, 26 penalties have been awarded in the 42 fixtures played since VAR was introduced in October.
Goal-line technology was not part of the big roll-out – with a sizeable outlay required to install the Hawk-Eye system at every top-flight stadium.
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou spoke of his concerns about VAR spoiling the Old Firm derby on 2 January – but the 2-2 draw played out without real controversy at Ibrox.
Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think this is just the new normal in Scotland now, it’s part of the game.
“If a referee is awarding a penalty, he wants to be 100% sure. I think what VAR does, is bring that degree of certainty.
“The technology allows referees to have a second chance to get a decision right if they’re not quite sure.
“This is going to be part of the Scottish game now. Particularly with red cards, and with handballs.
“That’s the area which promotes inconsistency, and it needs to be tightened up or more penalties is what you’re going to get.”
In other news, Celtic expert suggests “Scott Brown replacement” is on his way out – “they have come to a deal”.