Ex-Fifa official lambasts ‘unacceptable’ Celtic latest amid David Turnbull controversy
Keith Hackett has hit out at the time taken to award David Turnbull’s goal as Celtic ran out 4-1 winners away at St Johnstone on Sunday (5 February).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed Scottish officials are facing the same problems the Premier League had when VAR was introduced.
As seen in footage from Sky Sports Scotland (5 February), Turnbull scored a last-gasp free-kick to give Celtic a 4-1 lead away at St Johnstone.
But referee David Dickinson and VAR official Greg Aitken took around three minutes to award the goal – which came in the last of three minutes of stoppage time.
A similar incident occurred during the Hoops’ win over Livingston on Wednesday (1 February), when Kyogo Furuhashi’s first-half goal was subject to a lengthy VAR review for no obvious reason.
Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie told Football Insider that there is a “bias” against Ange Postecoglou’s side within refereeing and VAR in Scotland.
The Glasgow giants are nine points clear of rivals Rangers atop the Scottish Premiership.
Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “They’re going through the same problems that English referees had with VAR.
“They’re looking for reasons to chalk off a goal.
“The first line has to be whether the offence is clear and obvious. If it’s not, don’t come in.
“If you start to interrogate and go beyond 30 seconds, then it’s too much. Three minutes to check a goal is not acceptable.”
In other news, pundit claims Giorgos Giakoumakis could spark Celtic exodus.