McManus: Celtic robbed by VAR twice as controversial footage analysed
VAR robbed Celtic of a goal and a penalty against Hearts at the weekend.
That’s according to former Hibernian striker Tam McManus, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about several contentious decisions at Tynecastle.
Celtic experienced VAR in the Premiership for the first time as they beat a defiant Hearts side 4-3 on Saturday (22 October).
The Hoops were denied a goal in the first half as Anthony Ralston scored a diving header, however, the referee spotted a foul in the buildup.
Ange Postecoglou’s side were also denied a penalty after the ball hit Michael Smith’s arm in the box after being flicked up by Forrest.
McManus claims both decisions were wrong.
“The Celtic goal that was chalked off, the Ralston header, I thought that was a goal,” McManus told Football Insider‘s Ben Wild.
“I didn’t see a foul. There was a bit of grappling but nothing more than that, I didn’t see a foul. It wasn’t offside either so I think they got that one wrong.
“The Celtic penalty shout at the end of the first half, I think that was a penalty as well. He has chipped it off the defender’s arm and his arm is out there.
“He moved his hand down and blocked the ball, made himself bigger. So I think that was another one they got wrong.
“The Hearts penalty and the encroachment, they got that one right to be fair to them. They have applied the law correctly there as I understand it.
“Players were inside the box. I think they got three right and two wrong in the game.”
Celtic drew 1-1 with Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday (25 October).
The Hoops return to league action against Livingston on Sunday (30 October).
In other news, one pundit can’t believe a new Celtic and Rangers controversy after SPFL development.