At the Celtic AGM Michael Nicholson and Peter Lawwell were cracking gags about Scottish referees, oh how the elderly audience laughed at the wit and humour of the Celtic executives.
Following their jolly to Rome with a Vatican photo-op thrown in as a bonus travelling to Perth proved a task too much for the Celtic chairman, once again Dermot Desmond had other priorities ahead of the club he thinks about morning, noon and night.
On the front line Brendan Rodgers is in a two way battle with a club that has now gone 69 SPFL matches without conceding a penalty, a run closing in on two years that covers three managers and the introduction of VAR more than a year ago.
In his column in the Press and Journal Richard Gordon described that sequence as remarkable, most of the online feedback used other phrases, many beginning with a C.
While certain decisions fall constantly in favour of the Ibrox Tribute Act it seems that a levelling up exercise is in place with Celtic to ensure that there is an O** F*** title battle to keep everyone engaged with Scottish football.
Except the broadcasting deal that seems to be a burden on Sky Sports, sponsorship of the League Cup regularly changes in mid-season with Cinch able to bail out halfway through their meagre sponsorship of the SPFL. Will Neil Doncaster have to repay part of his bonus on that deal?
A shirt pull on O’Riley as he’s trying to clear the ball at the St Johnstone goal.
Completely ignored by everyone. https://t.co/xT5E4rLAyg pic.twitter.com/JsrEOoCnAg— Lint (@Zeshankenzo) December 3, 2023
Yesterday at Perth Celtic turned in a shocking first half display but despite that they are entitled to the same interpretation of the Laws of the Game regardless of their form.
These two clips were available to Kevin Clancy and Dougie Potter in the VAR studio, there were no other games going on at that point so there were no distractions. Additionally they had the boost of additional angles provided by cameras from Sky Sports.
It is natural that the supporters eyes are drawn to the commotion around Joe Hart but with two VAR experts there are other aspects to be reviewed.
Matt O’Riley’s shirt is clearly pulled affecting his clearance which sent the ball goalwards rather than towards the halfway line.
The ball then rolls down the arm of a St Johnstone player as it slowly, almost comically drifts towards goal.
Fortunately Celtic turned it around from this Miscarriage of Justice but it did require an incredible stoppage time save from Joe Hart to deny the homeside an equaliser otherwise the gags of Nicholson and Lawwell could have rebounded spectacularly.
Hits his hand…..Kevin Clancy on VAR I’m sure they said. https://t.co/8ZHabAsC5P
— Eeramacaroonbar (@Eeramacaroonbar) December 3, 2023
💬 “Penalty Rangers”
Celtic chief Michael Nicholson’s cutting reply when quizzed on referees and VAR at AGMhttps://t.co/6vJYJ8p66Ihttps://t.co/6vJYJ8p66I
— Scottish Sun Sport (@scotsunsport) November 22, 2023
