Ange hit two nails on the head following last night’s game. One, he wouldn’t comment on VAR or the officials and two, he said we should have taken more of our chances and killed the game off. From his perspective, he is absolutely correct to dismiss VAR and the officials otherwise, given their performances, it would become all consuming. His mantra after O’Rileygate, when the ball accidentally hit the player’s elbow, was:
“WE JUST HAVE TO KEEP WINNING. SCORE A COUPLE OF GOALS MORE THAN THE OPPOSITION AND NOT LET ANYTHING ELSE GET IN THE WAY OF US WINNING.”
That is why he was so annoyed last night. The poor performance allowed Livingston into the game and increased the jeopardy that the result could be affected by the officials.
Although our manager won’t now comment on VAR and the officials, that shouldn’t stop us! When the SFA introduced VAR part way through this season, we could go along with their thinking. The SFA’s Chief Executive said it was preferable to waiting until next summer because it would aid match officials, who were now all fully trained. Ah, the best laid plans of mice.
A general view as the LED Screen on the inside of the stadium displays the message ‘Checking Goal Possible Offside’ after Liel Abada of Celtic scores a goal which is later ruled out for offside during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Livingston FC at on December 21, 2022 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
It now appears that the SFA may have changed their thinking on handball in the penalty box. Before the World Cup break every handball, whether intentional or not, was a penalty except as Ange noted “when you’re away to Hearts”. Comments like that made Ange realise he was getting in too deep and the officiating was becoming a distraction to him and his players. Hence, his current thinking:
“WE DON’T HAVE TO TALK ABOUT IT. I THINK ME TALKING ABOUT IT THE LAST FEW WEEKS HAS DONE MY FOOTBALL CLUB NO FAVOURS.”
Surely if the SFA have changed their instructions on handball to referees, they would have informed the clubs? A public statement wouldn’t go amiss either otherwise we are all in the dark. Maybe that’s their intention, the mushroom syndrome.
Following abadagate last night, surely the SFA will come out and present a reasoned and logical statement as to why the goal was disallowed? It took them two days following Jotagate to tell us they got that offside decision correct so if they are sure about last night’ decision, let’s hear it.
At the moment, I am struggling to think of one major decision that has gone our way since VAR’s introduction. Right now there’s nothing, zero, zip, nada. My advice to the SFA is to forget about VAR for Celtic decisions, just toss a coin. At least if we called heads every time, we would get 50% of the decisions in the long run. It would be much quicker than VAR, which would keep big Ange happy too. Seriously, I have more faith in the laws of statistics than Scottish officials to make objective and impartial decisions in respect of our club.
Following outcries from some English managers about early VAR decisions going against them, the FA stated that it would all even out over the course of a season. The SFA have hidden behind other statements from the FA to justify the “teething problems” in Scotland.
So let’s hear it SFA, it will all even out in the long run. How difficult or contentious can it be to state that? Unless, of course…
HH and Merry Christmas!
Christopher Wotherspoon
In the interests of the MILLIONS of pounds that your customers put into @CelticFC can you please make a statement on this?
This is either a referee that is incompetent, or a referee that is a cheat.
Either way, say something https://t.co/GoCrJH6zym
— Billybhoy999 (@billybhoy999) December 22, 2022
Michael Smith handball not given
Bernabei handball given
O’Riley handball given
Ralston goal v Hearts not given
Abada goal v Hearts not given
Abada goal v Livi not given
Jota “offside” goal v Motherwell7 very contentious decision since VAR introduced. All gone against Celtic
— BelfColm74 (@BelfColm74) December 22, 2022
If Celtic win at Ibrokes on 2nd January, they will be one helluva team…..it will not be allowed to happen.
It takes 4 – 5 minutes for all of the officials involved, to discuss how you can adjust the truth into a logical lie in the eyes of the Orcs and the dob press, which justifies that a decision is against Celtic ! or simply …to cheat. Ange is right and it has always been the same. Celtic have to play to a higher standard than the rest of Scotland and kill the games off. Inadvertently, this will assist Celtic as it has often done, when we meet European opposition. Therefore, logically, we should be grateful to the ludge for cheating us !!