Celtic should have been awarded a penalty against Kilmarnock in the reigning champions’ 4-0 Scottish Premiership opening weekend win in Glasgow, Scottish FA head of referees Willie Collum has concluded.
Three controversial incident involving Kilmarnock in the opening four weeks of the new season were highlighted among eight analysed in The VAR Review, a new monthly show on the Scottish FA’s YouTube channel, with Collum concluding that he was “content with the start we’ve made”.
The other incorrect decision also came on the opening weekend, when Dundee United ought to have had a spot-kick for hand ball in their 2-2 draw with Dundee.
Celtic 4-0 Kilmarnock – 4 August
Kyogo Furuhashi collided with Kilmarnock goalkeeper Robby McCrorie as the Celtic striker met a free-kick chipped over the defence.
Referee Don Robertson and VAR officials concluded during the game that “the goalkeeper just makes himself big”.
However, Collum said: “We believe this was the wrong decision. We have coached the referees and the VARs that a penalty kick should have been awarded here.
“It is an unexpected free-kick with the way the ball is chipped. It catches the on-field referee by surprise and it’s very difficult for the referee to find an angle round that wall to get a proper view.
“The Celtic player clearly gets ahead and touches the ball past the goalkeeper and we then think the goalkeeper’s actions are reckless. An off-field review should have been requested and the referee asked to come to the monitor.”
Kilmarnock 0-3 St Johnstone – 11 August
Kilmarnock thought they should have a penalty when Danny Armstrong went down under a challenge from Andre Raymond.
Referee Chris Graham booked the home winger for simulation, but VAR decided that his heel had been clipped, but it was outside the penalty box.
“This is a wrong decision on-field,” Collum said. “It is a foul, it is a trip and, when the VAR sees it’s outside the box, it’s impossible for the VAR to become involved.
“It is a quirk. Had it been a yard further, VAR could have become involved and the decision overturned and a penalty given. It is impossible for us to fix it through VAR.”
Aberdeen 2-0 Kilmarnock – 25 August
Brad Lyons was initially booked by referee MacDermid for a challenge on Ester Sokler at Pittodrie, but the visiting midfielder was sent off.
“We are happy that the VAR recommended an on-field review and that the card was overturned from yellow to red,” Collum said.
“We don’t think the player is in complete control. We think the point of contact was high – it is on the shin – and it therefore endangers the safety of the opponent.”