The Hoops midfielder received only a booking for his challenge on the Motherwell player during the 3-1 victory for Martin O’Neill’s side.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain avoided a red card against Motherwell because his tackle did not have the “force and speed” required to be considered serious foul play.
That was the reasoning provided by VAR official Kevin Clancy to referee John Beaton during Celtic’s 3-1 triumph over the Steelmen.
The former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder seemed to strike Elijah Just on the shin with raised studs, leading many to believe he was fortunate to receive just a yellow card rather than a harsher punishment.
Audio from the incident has now been released on the Scottish Football VAR Review Show, shedding light on the thought process behind allowing the Celtic player to remain on the field.
Beaton appeared not to have fully witnessed the challenge, and following a review, Clancy confirmed that a yellow card was, in his opinion, the appropriate decision.
Beaton then questioned whether Just had been caught higher on the leg after noticing a mark on his shin, with Clancy initially stating that the contact was studs on the foot.
He later acknowledged there was a “glancing blow” higher up but maintained it was insufficient to justify a sending-off.
VAR (Kevin Clancy): “Why’s he hurt himself?”
John Beaton: “Just a wee bit contact there. Do you think it’s any more than that? Looks a wee bit high.”
VAR: “I don’t know John.”
JB: “I’m going to go yellow card.”
Assistant referee: “If anything the force wasn’t there, John, but I don’t know where the contact was.”
JB: “I don’t but they’ll check it.”
VAR: “So he goes to play the ball and it’s boot on top of the boot.”
JB: “They’ll check it.”
VAR: “Okay, checking on-field decision of yellow card.”
VAR: “So for me Gary, it’s high, but it looks foot on foot.”
Assistant referee: “I don’t know, John.”
VAR: “Can we go a different angle?”
AVAR: “There’s some slight contact just above the ankle, but the main force is when it’s boot on boot.”
VAR: “So for me, you’ve got boot on boot contact, so it’s taking a…”
VAR: “Any other angles?”
AVAR: “There’s no speed, it’s no serious foul play for me.”
VAR: “No, so he has control of the ball, the foot is top of the boot.”
VAR: “Side of the ankle, so for me, reckless contact.”
VAR: “No speed or intensity, doesn’t endanger safety.”
VAR: “What was it, yellow card?”
VAR: “John, it’s Kevin, confirming on-field decision, yellow card no.21.”
VAR: “For context, it’s studs onto the top of the foot.”
JB: “Right, okay. He’s got a wee mark on his shin, Kevin, It’s definitely nothing, maybe just a glancing blow or something?”
VAR: “That’s right, there’s possible glancing contact.”
AVAR: “You can see the contact slightly just above and then the main force is when it comes down.”
VAR: “You’ve got initial glancing contact but the main contact is boot on top of the boot. Side of the ankle, reckless contact.”