Celtic Rover

Sligo Rovers icon Tony 'Fago' Fagan. The Bit O'Red. Captain fantastic on the first Rovers team to win the FAI Cup in 1983

Celtic’s penalty was certainly a debatable decision. Impossible to be definitive either way, hence current widespread inquest, so they really should have stayed with original on-field. No pen. Understandable anger amongst Motherwell and Hearts coaches, players and supporters. Hearts now travel to Celtic Park for a title decider. The Foundation of Hearts, which owns 75% of the club, has called “on those responsible for the officiating of Saturday’s match to ensure that the highest standards of decision-making are applied, so that the game is decided by the players on the pitch and the team is given the fair opportunity it has earned”. Strong words. North and South of the Border the quality of officiating - and consistency – has been questioned this season. The problem is not the technology but those using it. There are some very competent officials about. But more are needed. Whether the Fir Park hand-ball was the worst decision ever is a moot point. Here are a few that spring immediately to mind, clear-cut mistakes, bound to trigger some frustrated flashbacks, in no particular order…. Diogo Dalot on Jeremy Doku, somehow only a yellow. Michael Keane on Doku, somehow only a yellow. Jordan Pickford taking out Virgil van Dijk. Harry Kane foot up on Andy Robertson. Tomas Soucek stopping a shot from Conor Gallagher with his hand. Rodri hand-ball against Everton. On it goes. Elliot Anderson on Ollie Watkins, cleared on review, mad. Kelechi Iheanacho denied a goal for Celtic against Braga when VAR ruled he’d handled when the ball came off his cheek. Gabriel not being dismissed for lowering his forehead into Erling Haaland. Luis Diaz punished for a non-existent offside when scoring for Liverpool against Tottenham. Lee Mason left his VAR job “by mutual consent” and PGMO apologised after he failed to draw the lines and spot Christian Norgaard offside in the build-up to Ivan Toney scoring for Brentford, costing Arsenal two points. And many others. The problem isn’t the technology; it’s the people using it, with the additional issue in Scotland of whether there is sufficient investment in the technology infrastructure. VAR is the safety net - but currently with too many holes.

Celtic took 28 of 30 points from these matches. They were in line for 9 of 30 entering minute 82. Celtic supporters would greatly appreciate a less stressful win on Saturday.

The officiating team for Saturday’s massive title-decider between Celtic and Hearts has now been confirmed. • Referee: Don Robertson • Assistant Referee 1: Calum Spence • Assistant Referee 2: David Roome • VAR: Kevin Clancy • AVAR: Matthew MacDermid