Kenny Miller finds himself in the crosshairs once again, as the memory of his red card controversy in the Celtic vs Rangers clash lingers on, haunting him even at the Hoops Player of the Year event.
The electric atmosphere at the sold-out OVO Hydro set the stage for honoring the standout performers of the Celtic squad this season. Their 2-1 victory over bitter rivals Rangers has propelled Brendan Rodgers’ side six points ahead at the summit of the Premiership, edging closer to clinching the title with just six games remaining and a superior goal difference.
During the contentious encounter, John Lundstram received his marching orders for a challenge on Alistair Johnston after a VAR intervention. While on commentary duty alongside Celtic legend Chris Sutton on Sky Sports, Miller vehemently contested the red card decision.
Amidst the crowd’s reaction, Miller faced a bout of trolling when he extended appreciation to the Rangers player, only to receive a cheeky jibe from host Shebahn Aherne insinuating that he might still be brooding over the incident. Unfazed, Miller reiterated his stance in a subsequent Daily Record column, unyielding in his belief that Lundstram’s expulsion was unwarranted.
Expressing his dissent, Miller maintained, “I stand by my opinion, despite the disagreements from my fellow pundits. Slow-motion replays manipulating moments and the misleading still images used in VAR assessments irk me. Football involves contact, and the scrutiny on terms like ‘endangering an opponent’ or ‘speed’ feels misplaced to me. Players move swiftly during a match, and mistimed challenges are an inherent risk.”
Critiquing the officiating surrounding VAR, Miller emphasized a sentiment shared by many in the footballing community, pointing out a disconnect between the implementation of technology and the nuances of the game. As controversies continue to unfold, the debate surrounding refereeing decisions in the sport rages on, with Miller standing firm in his critique of the current state of officiating in football.
