The advent of VAR in Scottish football has marked a significant shift for Celtic fans, presenting a substantial change unseen in years. Originally intended to assist referees in rectifying clear and obvious errors during gameplay, video assistant refereeing technology has now taken center stage in discussions surrounding Scottish football. This comes at a crucial juncture given the intense title race unfolding.

The primary purpose of the video referee was to enhance officiating standards, reduce errors, and ensure fair play. However, instead of serving as a tool for improvement, it appears that match officials are increasingly using VAR to scrutinize goal decisions, penalty calls, and red card incidents, casting doubt on its intended function.

Amidst this scrutiny of officiating decisions, a notable incident occurred during Celtic’s match against Hearts at Celtic Park, where Dexter Lembikisa’s challenge on James Forrest went unnoticed. Former SFA Grade 1 referees Des Roache and Steve Conroy critiqued the missed red card incident on their podcast, emphasizing the need for consistency in applying disciplinary actions.

Reflecting on the incident, Roache expressed surprise that the challenge was not included in mainstream highlights packages, highlighting a potential oversight in officiating coverage. Conroy echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the challenge warranted a red card based on established standards, calling for uniformity in decision-making.

The widespread discussion of this incident on social media underscores the scrutiny facing VAR in Scottish football. While the missed call did not impact Celtic’s points tally, the incident raises concerns about the technology’s efficacy and the need for greater consistency in its application. Moving forward, addressing these issues will be paramount for the SFA to uphold the integrity of the game.