Pundit issues ‘dangerous’ Celtic claim after controversial Liel Abada footage emerges
Alan Hutton has suggested Celtic should have been awarded a penalty against Motherwell on Saturday when Ricki Lamie stopped “a dangerous situation” by handling the ball.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Rangers right-back said defenders will have to get used to the strict handball rules when VAR is introduced in Scotland.
In the second half, Liel Abada’s cross into the box was blocked by the hand of Ricki Lamie who was already on a yellow card at the time.
The incident went unnoticed by referee John Beaton.
The Hoops went on to win the game 2-1.
VAR is set to be introduced in the Scottish top flight after the World Cup in Qatar.
However, according to the Get Involved Referee podcast (3 October), the introduction of the technology is said to be “imminent” and could be in place earlier than initially anticipated.
Hutton said VAR would have awarded the Celts a penalty on Saturday.
“If there is VAR that is a penalty,” he told Football Insider.
“I think he has put his arm out from his side, he has made himself bigger and he has stopped a cross in a dangerous situation. For me, when VAR comes in, that would be given as a penalty.
“As soon as you put your arms out in an unnatural position and the ball hits you, it is going to be a penalty. It is something that I think all defenders and players alike are going to have to get used to when VAR comes in to the Scottish game.“
In other news, a Celtic idol has issued emphatic Callum McGregor verdict as footage analysed.