‘It’s not possible’: Former SFA referees criticize the usage of VAR during the Celtic-Rangers game.

Celtic’s victory over Rangers at the weekend was nearly without incident, as Brendan Rodgers’ side extended their lead at the top of the league

Rangers were unable to match the pace and quality of Celtic’s attack, demonstrating the club’s supremacy.

Despite the fact that both teams committed 23 fouls, match referee John Beaton did not have to issue any red cards.

However, four Celtic players were booked, while five Rangers players, including coach Alex Rae, were also booked.

In terms of discipline, the game was quite uncontroversial. But when it came to the one significant flashpoint, the use of VAR to reach a verdict seemed to have disappointed two former SFA referees.

In their Behind The Whistles podcast, former SFA Grade 1 referees Des Roache and Steve Conroy discuss officiating standards in Scotland, including the ‘baffling’ VAR decision to call Kyogo’s goal offside.

And, using their X social media account, they shared their thoughts on Kyogo Furuhashi’s goal against Rangers being declared offside by VAR based on the images supplied at Celtic Park.

The multi-post read, “As we’ve mentioned with all of these dumb crayon lines. There are also some terrible camera angles. We must simply accept Hawkeye’s straight line, even if it appears to be much off due to the pitch. The Hawkeye feature has been “calibrated”. The joining lines are applied by hand. They draw it from the “sleeve line”.

“The lines should run from the sleeve line to the calibrated target line across the pitch. According to the photograph, the Rangers player’s down line appears to be drawn at an angle to the target line.

“However, from a diagonal aspect, it is impossible to determine whether it is correct or incorrect. They will argue that there are variables such as the angles of the arms to the target line that runs across the pitch. As customers, we deserve clear evidence.

“The image on its own is inconclusive. It is not the first, nor will it be the last. Just another example of our tin pot operation; it’s still puzzling in this day and age why we can’t get a side view.”