Celtic just don’t make life easy for us do they? Another game, another rollercoaster ride as they escape Easter Road with all three points in a game that had so many talking points…
It will take a few articles to get through all the drama of today so in this first one I’m going to focus solely on the performance of the officials, which was an absolute disgrace.
Where do I start? Well the early sending off would be a good place to begin. A clear high tackle that absolutely deserved a red card, even Hibs manager David Gray didn’t try to defend his player post game, agreeing that Jamie McGrath deserved the punishment.
Out on the pitch however David Dickinson, thought it was a yellow. Douglas ‘red card, red card’ Ross, who was extremely close to the incident, seemingly agreed. Once it went to VAR there was absolutely no way the duo of Don Robertson and Duncan Nicolson over in Clydesdale House could recommend anything else but an on-field review for a possible red.
When Celtic eventually opened the scoring, former leader of the Scottish Conservative party Douglas Ross couldn’t wait to get his flag in the air. His face had a look on it that said he knew he was wrong but would leave it in the lap of the VAR gods in the hope that somehow the lines can be drawn up in a away that gets Hibs off the hook. No such luck Douglas, just like next Thursday. Clearly onside and the goal is given. Thank heavens for VAR eh?
Well maybe not, as we then move on to the biggest joke of the lot, the Hibs equaliser. The decision here was nothing short of an absolute disgrace. It’s hard not to say it was nothing short of flat out cheating. Hibs captain Joe Newell was the man to put the ball in the net but not before clearly controlling the ball with his arm. David Dickinson saw nothing untoward.
🗣️ “You’ve got to trust the officials”
A unique angle of Hibs’ goal against Celtic which was checked for handball 🔍 pic.twitter.com/bbS7oKieL0
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 3, 2026
Ah well we thought, at least VAR will overturn it, as the evidence is as clear as day. Not this time. Not when the decision came down to the men using the technology’s personal opinion rather than the technology itself.
🖥️ “VAR feel they’re not sure”
🎙️ “I think it hits his arm, you can see with Joe Newell’s reaction”James McFadden, Aiden McGeady and Kris Boyd were “surprised” Hibs’ goal against Celtic stood ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/mqYjG4C0jn
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 3, 2026
Somehow after a few minutes deliberation the duo of Robertson and Nicolson decided there wasn’t enough evidence to go against the referees initial decision. The ball quite obviously hitting the goal-scorers arm TWICE as the ball drops wasn’t clear enough evidence? You can see the contact from multiple angles, one was particularly clear. You even see Joe Newell’s face after it’s given, he gives a wry smile that said ‘how the hell did I get off with that one’.
Not intervening here was an absolute travesty and needs to be dealt with. Whether we won or not, Celtic can not let this lie.
This could have been a season defining moment. The whole reason VAR was introduced was to end errors like this. If that wasn’t enough there was actually one more incident they refused to deal with correctly, and that was the clear two handed shove of Benjamin Nygren in the box that put him off the pitch. As clear a penalty as you will ever see. From what I gathered the incident wasn’t even looked at in Clydesdale House. Play on, nothing to see here.
The officials today, both on the pitch, and back at Clydesdale House, were an absolute disgrace.
When I saw the line up for today’s game during the week I knew today was going to be problematic. How absolutely mental is that?
The fact that you are forced to check who is officiating the games to see if you are going to get a fair crack at the whip or not. That shouldn’t be happening. The whole thing needs ripped up and started again. I genuinely think foreign referees need brought in.
The officials in Scotland are at best inept, at worst totally bias. Either way they aren’t fit for purpose. The Scottish Premiership is one of the most exciting in Europe this season, yet we have these totally incompetent men – or worse – ruining the game here.
It’s gone beyond a joke. Having Willie Collum confirm every month that his officials keep making mistakes and saying they will try to do better isn’t good enough. They have had their chance and still there is no improvement.
It’s time for a complete change to the whole thing.
In a season where the outcome of the league title is going to hinge on the smallest of margins, it’s looking increasingly likely that the officials in Scotland are going to have a mammoth effect on the final outcome and could end up costing someone the league title, a Champions League opportunity, and all the money that comes with that.
If I was to take a wild guess, I would bet my last pound on Celtic being on the receiving end of that potentially crucial ‘honest mistake’.
If this season, the most exciting in Scotland in decades, is to be decided this way, it really would be a travesty.
Conall McGinty
6 Comments
When you have 5 dogs’ arses for officials do not be surprised if all you get is dog shit. No handball! No penalty! This was yet another low point for Scottish football refereeing.
That’s why there are no Scottish officials picked for world cup! Totally inadequate!
Nothing will be done no matter how bad willie column says how bad the decisions
are only threat hibs had was crosses into Celtic box and the ref tried to give them as much as possible if he gives free kick for hins with the player screaming and yet dosent give nygrin be man handled by cambell says it all
Your quite right to point out the effects of the blatant cheating from officials, is having upon the Scottish game.
I know that it has been the case for many a long year, but to actually become worse with the use of technology, takes some doing, and all the while goes without any form of repercussions upon cheating officials whatsoever?
With money such a dominant factor within the Scottish game, especially without TV income. Then such cheating decision making can impact hugely upon teams incomes throughout the whole of the SPFL. Even moreso if European football is bought into the equation.
One of the biggest impact that these cheating officials are having upon the Scottish game is the growing concern regarding the quality of player, that will be getting attracted to it.
Football is an emotional game, along with an entertainment element within it?
Today the anger factor ended up providing next to no entertainment factor, for myself anyway.
So would players themselves, get much enjoyment with having to endure the likes week on week?
It’s no wonder that if similar contracts are on offer to themselves elsewhere, they would rather that, than having to put up with the total farce, that the cheating officials are bringing to the Scottish game, and all without any form of repercussions, or even willing to address the issues from the so called authorities of the Scottish game.?
A bit over the top as usual slating the officials. The sending off happens quickly and a yellow card is given by the referee. VaR makes it a lot clearer that it is red and so the card is upgraded. No problem with that. Fine margins as to where the foot connects. That is what VAR is for. The Celtic first goal. Really very difficult in a fast attack to pick this up as a linesman, conservative ex leader or not. Even when the lines are drawn it is so close to call. Once more VAR assisted the officials correctly. The Hibs goal I think the decision was wrong but goodness me it wasn’t an easy one. I see it hit his hand and feel VAR should have got this. No blame on referee he could never have picked that up. So maybe take off your green tinted spectacles and look how close each incident before bleating we are being victimised.
No sure about green tinted specs Tony,how about the fact that Ross wasn’t even up with play yet somehow sees the offside instantly and yet nobody sees a blatant push on Nygren from a short distance. Ive never been a conspiracy theorist myself usually happy with the incompetent route but people like Ross do stretch my belief to extremes.