Ah the good old VAR is back with a vengeance for Celtic and Rangers but in very different ways.
For Celtic, VAR has already denied the Bhoys a stonewall penalty against Aberdeen after Graeme Shinnie appeared to use his hands to keep the ball in play.
However, for Rangers, the video referee has been on hand to help out the Ibrox club with two contentious spot kicks this season in Rangers’ draw with Dundee and, of course, the win over Alloa in the League Cup.
Michael Stewart has already shared what he heard the match officials say about the Ibrox penalty but here, the BBC man goes into much more detail.
More details emerge of what VAR said about Rangers’ Alloa penalty for Celtic fans
Why will Celtic fans be shocked at what Stewart is going to say?
Just remember what we were all told about being denied a penalty at Pittodrie and you’ll soon see why.
Stewart told The Scottish Football Social Club, “I feel for him as well, because I do think it’s harsh.
“But you know, if you’re standing on the goal line and your arms are by your side and the ball hits your hand, then that’s not a penalty kick.”
Hutton: “I think they’ve looked at it right and see because his arm is up, we think it’s in a natural position, because I think he’s running back to tackle his arms up here, it’s natural.
“He’s waiting to flick it back across, it’s hit his arm. But from maybe their point of view and how it’s laid out in the rule book, it’s on target his arms here, it stopped [the goal], penalty.
Stewart: “I think it’s harsh. We obviously hear VAR and some of the things that I heard, they recognise that it was obviously accidental, on target was mentioned. But I just don’t think that that’s a determining factor.”
And why should Celtic fans be shocked? We were denied a penalty because the ball was played close to Shinnie’s hand and it was accidental.
The more VAR is used in this country the more it shows the difference in how the rules are interpreted for Celtic and Rangers.
And it’s embarrassing.
QUIZ: Celtic’s Biggest Wins Over Rangers
Test your knowledge on some of Celtic’s most famous victories over Rangers. Find out if you know your history!
1. What is Celtic’s biggest ever victory over Rangers?
- a) 5-0
- b) 6-2
- c) 7-1
- d) 4-0
Correct Answer: c) 7-1
The 7-1 win is a historic result and is Celtic’s largest margin of victory against their rivals. It is also a record for a British domestic cup final.
2. In which competition did Celtic secure their historic 7-1 win over Rangers?
- a) Scottish Cup Final
- b) Scottish League Cup Final
- c) Scottish Premier League
- d) Friendly match
Correct Answer: b) Scottish League Cup Final
This famous match took place in the final of the Scottish League Cup.
3. In what year did Celtic achieve their 7-1 victory over Rangers?
- a) 1967
- b) 1957
- c) 1971
- d) 1988
Correct Answer: b) 1957
The match, famously known as “Hampden in the Sun,” was played on October 19, 1957.
4. Which player scored a hat-trick for Celtic in the 7-1 demolition of Rangers?
- a) Billy McPhail
- b) Sammy Wilson
- c) Bobby Collins
- d) Willie Fernie
Correct Answer: a) Billy McPhail
Billy McPhail scored three goals for Celtic, all with his head.
5. What was the nickname given to the 7-1 match by Celtic supporters?
- b) Hampden in the Sun
- a) The Demolition Derby
- c) The Thrashing at Ibrox
- d) The Glorious Final
Correct Answer: b) Hampden in the Sun
The phrase “Hampden in the Sun” was coined by Celtic fans and is the title of a popular terrace song about the game.
6. In a famous 2000 league match, Celtic defeated Rangers 6-2. Who was the Celtic manager at the time?
- a) Neil Lennon
- b) Brendan Rodgers
- c) Martin O’Neill
- d) Gordon Strachan
Correct Answer: c) Martin O’Neill
Martin O’Neill led Celtic to this dominant victory in his first Old Firm match as manager.
7. Which Celtic legend scored a memorable chipped goal in the 6-2 victory in 2000?
- a) Henrik Larsson
- b) Chris Sutton
- c) Paul Lambert
- d) Lubomir Moravcik
Correct Answer: a) Henrik Larsson
Henrik Larsson scored two goals in the match, but his beautifully chipped goal over the goalkeeper, Stefan Klos, is particularly remembered by fans.
8. What was the score when Celtic clinched the league title with a convincing home victory over Rangers in 2018?
- a) 4-0
- b) 5-0
- c) 3-0
- d) 6-1
Correct Answer: b) 5-0
Celtic won the game 5-0 at Celtic Park to secure their seventh consecutive league title under manager Brendan Rodgers.
9. Who scored twice in Celtic’s 5-0 win over Rangers in 2018?
- a) Moussa Dembele
- b) Olivier Ntcham
- c) Odsonne Edouard
- d) James Forrest
Correct Answer: c) Odsonne Edouard
French striker Odsonne Edouard scored two goals, while James Forrest, Tom Rogic, and Callum McGregor also scored.
10. In the 2017 Scottish Cup Semi-Final, what was the score when Celtic thrashed Rangers to reach the final?
- a) 5-0
- b) 4-0
- c) 3-0
- d) 2-0
Correct Answer: b) 4-0
Celtic won this match 4-0 at Hampden Park, with goals from Callum McGregor, Stuart Armstrong, Scott Sinclair, and a late strike from Moussa Dembele.
You have finished the quiz!
