INCOMPETENT CELTIC REFEREE SHOWN THE RED CARD
- BY LIAM CARRIGAN
- Apr 9
- 2 min read
Alan Muir is no longer going to be employed as a VAR official by the SFA.
Others will downplay it, but this is a vindication of Celtic’s “soft power” approach to dealing with The SFA and refereeing incompetence and/or bias.
Whilst other clubs picked up their half-chewed crayons to scribble out statement after statement of impotent, undirected rage, Celtic calmly and privately let their feelings be known about recent refereeing controversies.
Today's announcement validates this approach.
Referee Pays the Price for Costing Celtic Points
Fans, myself included, were concerned after the debacle of Daizen Maeda’s disallowed goal at Hibs seemed to be almost brushed off by the club.
We’ll never know for sure, but the consensus seems to be among fans and pundits alike that, had Maeda’s 2nd goal stood, Celtic would have got at least got a draw.
Personally, I think it's more likely Celtic would have gone on to win the game. Such was our momentum at that point in time. But as said, we'll never know for sure.
However, Brendan Rodgers assured us that “the club are dealing with it”.
Well, today it was confirmed by Referee’s supervisor Willie Collum that Alan Muir will no longer perform VAR duties for the SFA. He will, indications are, remain as a referee’s observer.
And in all honesty, I don’t have a problem with that. So long as he is no longer in a position to directly influence Celtic’s results, I am happy with this outcome.
It seems we should never have doubted the manager or indeed Celtic’s word regarding this issue.
It also goes to show that a quiet but firm word in the right ear, will accomplish more than an innumerate amount of angrily scrawled, poorly crafted statements.
As I have said before the issue with VAR is not the technology, it is the competence of those who use it, and the manner in which it is implemented.
To borrow a phrase from the Japanese historical figure and philosopher, Miyamoto Musashi: “There is no fast way to wield a long sword.”
In other words: take the quick and easy route and you’re going to fall flat on your face.
Scottish football has taken the quick and easy route with VAR for too long. It’s not a “long sword” to them, its more like a blunt kitchen knife.
Ok, I’m probably over-reaching with all these samurai sword metaphors but I’m sure you get my point.
VAR needs an overhaul in Scotland. Alan Muir’s removal should just be the first step, not the conclusion of this discussion.
I hope Celtic will continue to lead these discussions. It is our duty, as Scotland's leading club to do so.
If the SFA won't do it willingly, we'll have to keep the pressure up until they make the reforms necessary.