Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers didn’t mince words following the team’s recent loss to Hearts, and the repercussions of his unfiltered comments are yet to fully unfold.

Rodgers unleashed his frustration on VAR official John Beaton and referee Don Robertson following contentious decisions that saw Hyunjan Yang sent off and Hearts awarded a questionable penalty.

In response, the Scottish FA has decided to reprimand him with a two-match touchline ban, a penalty that Celtic and Rodgers plan to challenge in an upcoming hearing scheduled for Thursday, March 28th. If the ban is upheld, Rodgers will be forced to watch crucial matches against Livingston and Rangers from the stands at a pivotal juncture in the title race.

While some may speculate on the impact of Rodgers’ potential absence on the outcomes of those games, former Celtic captain Paul Lambert believes it won’t significantly sway the results.

Lambert emphasized the players’ role at this stage of the season, asserting that Rodgers’ absence from the technical area during the Rangers match or due to an SFA ban wouldn’t matter much. He stressed that Rodgers’ thorough coaching will have prepared the players adequately, and it will be up to them to deliver on the field irrespective of their manager’s presence.

Echoing Lambert’s sentiment, it’s likely that Rodgers will ensure that his tactical instructions are effectively communicated to the team even if he is sidelined. His vocal criticism post-Hearts game, particularly of the debatable penalty call, sheds light on the inconsistencies in refereeing decisions in Scottish football this season.

While the SFA holds the authority to impose a ban on Rodgers, this move might redirect attention to the shortcomings in the refereeing system, as indicated by recent departures and reviews within the department.

By penalizing the Celtic manager, the spotlight is inadvertently shifted back to the questionable standards in officiating, rather than focusing on fair play and consistent judgment.