A visibly relieved Martin O’Neill admitted that luck played its part as Celtic secured a narrow 2-1 win over ten-man Hibernian at Easter Road. While the victory keeps the pressure on their league rivals, the Hoops manager expressed growing anxiety over how VAR might dictate the final standings of the Scottish Premiership title race.
Tension at Easter Road
The defending champions endured a stressful afternoon in Leith. Despite taking an early lead through Daizen Maeda, the visitors were pegged back by a controversial Joe Newell equaliser just before the interval. Celtic eventually found a way through when Kelechi Iheanacho once again proved to be the hero from the bench, clinching three points that propel the club toward a high-stakes Monday.
With Hearts and Rangers set to clash at Tynecastle on the holiday Monday, O’Neill joked that he would be watching the game from the safety of his living room. He noted that he usually watches such tense matches from behind the sofa and expects more of the same during tomorrow’s massive fixture.
Title Race Permutations
When asked about his ideal result for the upcoming Edinburgh showdown, O’Neill remained undecided. He pointed out that even a perfect run of results might not be enough for Celtic if Hearts win out, given their superior goal difference. He suggested that a draw between the two sides might be the most beneficial outcome since it ensures both rivals drop points simultaneously.
The VAR Controversy
The primary talking point of the match centered on the Hibs equaliser. The ball appeared to make contact with Newell’s arm before findng the net, a decision that left the Celtic coaching staff fuming on the sidelines.
“I am certainly concerned about it,” O’Neill said when asked if technology could decide the title. “I initially supported VAR back in 2018, but years later, I feel it has hindered the ability of referees to manage the game naturally.”
O’Neill explained that he frequently consults with Gavin Strachan, who monitors the footage from the dugout. According to the manager, the consensus within his team was that the Hibs goal was highly contentious. While he acknowledged that VAR assisted Celtic on their opening goal, he remained wary of its long-term impact on the sport. He admitted his perspective might be even more critical had the result not gone in Celtic’s favor.