In the wake of a contentious match against Hearts on Sunday, the debate around the use of VAR in football has resurfaced with a vengeance, particularly within the Celtic support.
The game, marked by a series of controversial decisions, has sparked a broader discussion on the technology’s role in the game, a conversation that former Celtic player and captain Neil Lennon has weighed in on on Monday afternoon. His insights are particularly relevant given Celtic’s recent frustrations, highlighting a shared sentiment within the club regarding the application of VAR.
Lennon, with his deep ties to Celtic, offers a unique perspective that resonates with the team’s recent experiences. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with VAR,” he told Clyde SSB, echoing a sentiment felt keenly by the Celtic side after the Hearts game. Lennon’s critique is not with the technology itself but with the referees’ application and interpretation of it—a point of contention that became all too clear for Celtic during Sunday’s tie.
The game saw Celtic penalised with a red card and a penalty decision that have since been widely panned, even by pundits who are more predisposed to deliver a less than friendly take on Celtic.
Brendan Rodgers expressed his dismay at the match officials, particularly criticising the decisions that played a significant role in the game’s outcome.
The decisions made through VAR, which had a direct impact on the game’s outcome, have been described as “absolutely shocking” by Rodgers, a sentiment that finds an echo in Lennon’s critique. Neil McCann, a former Hearts player, also supported this viewpoint, highlighting the widespread acknowledgment of the issue beyond just Celtic.
As the debate around VAR continues, the insights from figures like Lennon, combined with the experiences of teams like Celtic, emphasise the critical need for improvement in how referees use the technology. It’s not just about having the right tools but using them correctly to ensure fairness and maintain credibility.
