Stand and deliver? Time for CEO Nicholson to find his voice after VAR guesswork denies Celtic

After three and a half years in hiding there is no excuse for Michael Nicholson to maintain his vow of silence after the events at Easter Road today.

The Celtic CEO is quick to crack gags when he is questioned about the decisions of John Beaton, when Brendan Rodgers called out the Lanarkshire based official as incompetent last March Nicholson went into hiding.

Since becoming CEO in September 2021 the ‘leading sports lawyer’ hasn’t said a word in public outwith his embarrassing comments when Brendan Rodgers was introduced as Celtic manager in June 2023, according to their CEO Celtic’s ambitions are to be world class in everything that they do. No examples were offered of areas that the club is currently world class in.

Through three AGMs Nicholson has constantly defended VAR. In 2022 the system was settling in and needed time, in 2023 we got the ‘penalty to Rangers’ gag then last year he told shareholders that Willie Collum’s monthly 24 minute VAR Review provided transparency on refereeing issues.

Twice within two months the SFA have jumped to the demand for explanations from Ibrox.

Following the League Cup Final in December Ian Maxwell and Willie Collum were out in front of the cameras apologising over an incident that not one player on the park questioned.

Last month an explanation was circulated to media partners to explain the red card issued to Mohamed Diomande away to Dundee United.

In contrast Nicholson and Celtic say nothing. Ever. Brendan Rodgers is on his own without a word of backing from his employers.

Dubious squiggly lines have been produced to justify goals being disallowed in the Glasgow Derby in September and at Motherwell earlier this month, of course there has been no questioning of this evidence from silent Mick.

At Easter Road today the denial went to a new level with Alan Muir guessing that the ball was out the park when Alistair Johnston crossed into the goalmouth, if Nicholson stays quiet on this decision to gives every VAR official licence to do the same in future matches.

Celtic have a goal disallowed ❌

Daizen Maeda finds the net after an Alistair Johnston cross, but VAR concluded that the ball had just went over the line before the Canadian made contact 🤏#HIBCEL pic.twitter.com/2miS1tfDUo

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) February 22, 2025

Brendan Rodgers is “hugely disappointed” with the decision to disallow Celtic’s goal today that would have made it 2-2 against Hibernian 🍀

“My experience here with VAR is that they don’t have all the angles or equipment to say it’s conclusively out.” 🗣️#HIBCEL pic.twitter.com/P4SIiTEcm9

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) February 22, 2025

My take is the official Alan Muir has had a guess at it because the linesman arguably has the best view in the stadium and he doesn’t give it.

For that to get overturned then I’m assuming there’s an absolute clear image of the ball being out of play.

In my experience up here with VAR is that we don’t have all the angles. They don’t have the equipment to say it’s conclusively out.

You’re actually viewing it from a secondary position which is a higher position. At that point you’re having a guess.

That is the huge disappointment. The linesman didn’t put his flag up. It was the first thing I went to when the goal went in. So we are hugely disappointed in that.

It is obviously having the right equipment to make a factual [decision]. You don’t have the right level of equipment. You are a camera down.

You can’t see the byline. Everything is from an aerial view or one behind.

So yeah, the linesman is moving well with the game and he doesn’t give it. That was a big call.

There are two things. I can’t deny that if we get the goal then, we get the equaliser, we are pushing at that point.

Both McLean and Muir have been involved in plenty of controversies involving Celtic, the most notable at the 2015 Scottish Cup semi-final defeat from Inverness Caley Thistle.

After seeking clarification on the Josh Meekings handball Peter Lawwell took a vow of silence on the issue, a constant in his behaviour post July 2012.

On all known evidence Nicholson will follow the lead of his mentor as he is again found wanting in the type of matters that should be routine for a competent football club CEO.

RELATED READING

• Ibrox fans start to wake up to the Dave King fakeover
• Herald comment exposes legacy media over 49ers takeover