Celtic were on the end of some ridiculous decisions from Nick Walsh during their 2-1 victory over Hibs.
It was similar to the League Cup semi-final at Hampden at the start of the month, also refereed by Walsh.
The Depute Head Teacher at Boclair Academy is developing quite a reputation in Celtic matches. A pattern.
At Hampden he refused to send off Derek Cornielus for a brutal foul on Johnny Kenny. Clear penalty incidents involving Reo Hatate and Michel-Ange Balikwisha weren’t awarded. VAR decided not to intervene to correct on field mistakes.
Only the variables changed at Easter Road.
Jamie McGrath wasn’t sent off for a dangerous kick at the head of Arne Engels. Yang Hun-jun wasn’t awarded a penalty, Walsh did award a penalty with no evidence against Liam Scales. VAR was selective on the decisions to over rule.
No Celtic fan will be surprised by these patterns.
the clearest conclusion from introduction of var is that celtci should be getting a lot more decisions in their favour but refs know that since we’re winning most of the time they can relax and let it go
— absrdmvrck (@absrdmvrck1) November 30, 2025
MCGRATH WIPES OUT ENGELS
With Arne Engels scoring Walsh decides not to take the appropriate action against Jamie McGrath for a dangerous lunge that saw him kick Engels full on the face.
There was no restraint, no mitigating circumstances. A cross into the box that Engels reached at almost his natural height. McGrath’s boot was at an un-natural height and going upwards.
His intention was to prevent the ball reaching Engels or to scare him out of heading the ball. He achieved neither, Celtic scored.
Instantly Engels fell to the ground. He didn’t know that he had scored till Callum McGregor reached him. The goalscorer required lengthy treatment to his nose.
Walsh felt that a booking was enough punishment. Irvine on VAR duty agreed, he decided against suggesting a touchline review.
Can’t wait to he’s the audio comms it hits head then onto shoulder area hard to see of it hits hand at end but fact it hits head first negates anything else imo and ifabs opinion . Also fail to see a clear and obvious error from referee so really var just re reffing game
— Kevin McHugh (@simroomgolf) November 30, 2025
HANDBALL AGAINST SCALES
The evidence isn’t there to award a penalty. The best angle offered is behind the goal to the left of the post.
Sky Sports offers additional camera angles to the VAR team but decided not to show an angle from the East Stand, where the corner kick came in from.
Without clear evidence the decision taken on the pitch can’t be over turned. Last season at Easter Road Alan Muir disallowed a ‘goal’ from Daizen Maeda without any evidence. His full time VAR salary ended at that point. Not that there was any announcement from the SFA.
There are a number of issues around this decision. There is enough evidence to suggest that the ball may have grazed Scales’ head before hitting his arm, the point of contact could be the t-shirt line. Again, the evidence isn’t there.
In front of Scales, Jack Iredale dragged Engels away with a shirt pull. That evidence appears not to have been used by Irvine in the VAR studio.
No contact with ball 100% contact with face pic.twitter.com/M5NtxGFLEi
— 💚🤍 Anti-establishment💚🤍 (@UsualSuspect717) November 30, 2025
THE PENALTY
Rocki Bushiri arrives a split second too late but completely wipes out Yang. A penalty should have been awarded, possibly a red card to the Hibs defender. With the scoreline 2-1 for Celtic that would have been a very significant decision.
Instead Walsh refused to apply the Laws of the Game for foul on Yang, the Celtic player was wiped out heading for goal and left on the turf with a head injury.
Strangely Walsh allowed play to continue then stopped the game for an unknown infringement. Ian Crocker, commentating for Sky Sports didn’t mention anything unusual, there was no reference to a VAR review.
It was the story of the game at Easter Road, the outcome was in the balance throughout the second half. Five minutes of stoppage time was added.
SILENT CELTIC
Under Michael Nicholson Celtic haven’t raised a single complaint about refereeing with the SFA.
The incredible and ridiculous decisions of Bobby Madden went unchallenged, even his incredible finale, the shambles that was the 2022 Scottish Cup semi-final. His farewell appearance to Scottish football.
When VAR came in Celtic suffered some ridiculous penalties being awarded against them. Not a word of concern from Nicholson, at the 2022 AGM he told shareholders to give it time.
Don Robertson, David Dickinson and John Beaton have delivered outrageous decisions against Celtic.
Brendan Rodgers was given a touchline ban for calling out Beaton’s incompetence in a 2-0 defeat at Tynecastle. Beaton was on VAR, Robertson on the pitch. A dream team combination from the SFA.
Match officials have licence to do whatever they like in Celtic matches, they take full advantage.
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