Glasgow pundit issues ‘horrible’ Greg Taylor claim as Celtic footage analysed
Alan Hutton feels for Greg Taylor after a “horrible” handball for Celtic against St Mirren on Sunday (5 March).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Rangers defender suggested referees are relying on the VAR officials to intervene when they make mistakes.
As shown on Sky Sports (5 March) Taylor appears to handle the ball inside the Hoops box inside the opening five minutes of the match.
Although referee David Dickinson has a clear view of the incident initially waved play on, he was instructed by VAR official Andrew Dallas to consult the pitchside monitor.
Dickinson then awarded a spot kick to the home side who went 1-0 up against the visitors thanks to Mark O’Hara’s composure from the spot.
Despite ending the first 45 a goal down, the Hoops came out firing in the second half and scored five goals in 30 minutes to win the game 5-1.
When asked if Dickinson felt obligated to change his decision after receiving instruction from the VAR official, Hutton told Football Insider: “A little bit because they are basically telling him he made a mistake.
“I think that is the thing with VAR at this moment in time, maybe refs are sometimes not sure so they just leave it because they know VAR will tell them.
“I thought it was a penalty. The way he is manipulating the ball into the box, I understand Taylor is swinging round and it is that horrible one where you just know it is going to be a penalty.
“But the referee should have been in a good position to make his own decision rather than wait to go and look at the monitor.“
In other news, Celtic expert slams unprepared Michael Beale as Rangers footage re-analysed.