Exclusive: Ex-FIFA ref disbelief at VAR interference for Celtic over Kirk stunner
St Johnstone star Makenzie Kirk saw a stunning strike ruled out in his side’s Scottish Cup semi final defeat to Celtic, and Keith Hackett has given his reaction to that decision.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that VAR did not need to get involved to overturn the goal.
Earlier this month, St Johnstone picked up a dramatic win over Celtic to boost their Scottish Premiership survival chances.
They were unable to repeat that feat in the cup at Hampden Park on Sunday (20 April), with Kirk even being denied what would have been a memorable consolation for his side.
St Johnstone goal ruled out after VAR check
A brace from Daizen Maeda along with goals from Callum McGregor and Adam Idah had given Celtic a comfortable 4-0 lead by half time in that match.
Early in the second half though, Kirk thought he had pulled one back for St Johnstone after unleashing a stunning long range strike into the top corner of Viljami Sinisalo’s net.
| Celtic last five games | Result |
| Rangers (H) | Lost 3-2 |
| Hearts (H) | Won 3-0 |
| St Johnstone (A) | Lost 1-0 |
| Kilmarnock (H) | Won 5-1 |
| St Johnstone (N) | Won 5-0 |
But after a VAR check, that strike was ruled out, with a push in the back of Idah that allowed the ball to run to Kirk deemed to be worthy of a foul.
Substitute Jota would then go on to add a fifth for Celtic as they comfortably secured their place in the final, ensuring they remain on course for a domestic treble.
Hackett though has hit out at the decision of VAR to get involved and rule out that goal for St Johnstone from Kirk, even if he feels that there may well have been a foul on Idah.
‘Celtic foul did not need to be awarded’ – Keith Hackett
After being asked by Football Insider what he made of the decision by the video officials to overturn that goal, the former referee said:
“The referee’s in a good position, he couldn’t be in a better place. So this for me, is an over-indulgent VAR interfering when he should have just left it alone.
“Is it a clear and obvious error? The referee’s on it, he’s decided that in his opinion it’s not a foul, I think this is re-refereeing the situation.
“I find it incredible that on what could be a simple decision, given at the time of the offence, that push, I don’t understand why VAR has had to intervene.
“I really don’t because I think the referee makes a judgement. How can the referee not see that as a push, it’s that inconsistency. What we’re saying here is that VAR has managed that and not the referee.
“You have to say first of all in a big game like that, the referee’s made a judgement. His judgement might be wrong, fair enough. Goal’s scored, VAR decides ‘I’m going to come in because I’ve seen a push’.
“We’re talking about it because the VAR’s come in so it’s a poor piece of officiating, because the referee’s now judged, because of VAR intervention, it’s a push. He should have seen that in the first place.
“Why aren’t referees giving the foul when it’s there and obvious in front of them. When he goes to the VAR screen he goes ‘I’ve got to give a push because it’s the easy decision’.
“The referee should be saying ‘I saw it, and for me there’s not enough in it, I’m giving the goal’. I can’t believe that the VAR has had to come in on that decision, it’s such an obvious push”.
Although speculation continues around Brendan Rodgers’ future at Celtic, he will look to deliver more silverware for the club when they face Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final on 24 May.