Celtic Fans Frustrated by VAR and Officiating After Hibs Controversy
Celtic supporters are no strangers to contentious VAR calls and refereeing decisions in Scottish football. The latest incident, involving Hibernian’s Kieron Bowie and referee Nick Walsh, has once again sparked debate over consistency and officiating standards.
The Controversial Throw-In
The key moment occurred in the first half when Hibs’ Josh Campbell took a throw-in several yards ahead of where the ball had gone out of play. Despite the clear violation, Walsh allowed play to continue, frustrating Kasper Schmeichel and the Celtic players.
Schmeichel’s Vital Save
The play led to a major chance for Kieron Bowie, who struck a left-footed shot from the center of the box. However, Schmeichel made a crucial save to keep the score level. The ball went out for a corner, further angering the Celtic goalkeeper, who expressed his frustration to the officials.
Had Bowie’s shot found the net, would VAR have intervened to disallow the goal? Given that Campbell’s throw-in was taken from the wrong spot, many would argue the play should have been pulled back. Yet, history suggests VAR rarely steps in for such incidents in Scotland when Celtic are involved, with several questionable decisions going unchecked.
If Schmeichel hadn’t made the save and Hibs had scored, Celtic fans would undoubtedly question why such a blatant infringement in the build-up was ignored.
Another Case of Inconsistent Officiating
This incident is yet another example of the inconsistencies that continue to plague Scottish refereeing. While taking a throw-in from the wrong spot may seem minor, it becomes significant when it directly influences a goalscoring opportunity. Celtic fans have frequently seen their team suffer from such calls, raising serious concerns about the fairness of officiating.
Had the situation been reversed, would VAR have ruled out a Celtic goal for the same offense? Based on past experiences, many Hoops supporters would have strong opinions, given the number of controversial VAR decisions this season.
