Keith Hackett reacts to Callum McGregor goal controversy in Celtic v Aberdeen
Keith Hackett has issued his verdict on the decision not to rule out Callum McGregor’s goal as Celtic secured a 5-1 victory over Aberdeen on Tuesday.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that referee John Beaton made the correct decision of awarding the goal at Celtic Park on 25 February.
He also praised VAR, having briefly checked the goal for any illegal incident, with Aberdeen’s Alexander Jensen colliding with Arne Engels in the build-up to the goal.
Beaton was at the centre of a “scandalous” moment between Hibernian and Rangers as Mohammed Diomande was seemingly lucky to avoid being sent off for a challenge on Nicky Cadden.
This time, however, the experienced official got the decision spot-on, it has been claimed.
Celtic avoid ‘harsh’ ruling on Callum McGregor goal
Brendan Rodgers‘ side ran riot at Celtic Park, with Daizen Maeda scoring at either end of the 90 minutes, with goals from Jota, McGregor and Hyun-Jun Yang in between.
Shayden Morris scored a consolation for the visitors, and it was just the one moment during the game that really caused any controversy as McGregor’s goal was quickly checked by VAR.
It was the 31-year-old’s eighth goal of the Scottish Premiership season, but it could have been ruled out had officials seen enough in Engels’ challenge on Jensen.
Even if the goal had been ruled out, it was still quite a simple victory for the current league leaders, who now take a 16-point gap at the top of the table before Rangers face Kilmarnock in Barry Ferguson’s first game in charge.
| Celtic | Aberdeen |
| 69% possession | 31% possession |
| 16 shots (7 on target) | 8 shots (1 on target) |
| 4 big chances | 2 big chances |
| 4 corners | 3 corners |
| 8 fouls commmitted | 13 fouls committed |
John Beaton and officials praised for swift VAR decision
Speaking to exclusively to Football Insider, ex-PGMOL chief, Hackett, said:
“It would have been very harsh to have ruled that Celtic goal out.
“Referee and VAR judged it correctly in my opinion.”
The Hoops head into their final few matches of the league campaign with a 16-point lead, though that could return to 13 points once the Gers have faced Killie.
Rodgers will have been extremely pleased with his team’s performance and attitude, getting back to winning ways following a shock 2-1 defeat to Hibernian.