According to Andy Halliday, a ‘standout’ manager would be better off at Celtic rather than Rangers.

Jens Berthel Askou continues to earn widespread praise for the impressive job he is carrying out at Motherwell FC, and as a result, speculation about potential links to Celtic FC has begun to gather momentum.

One individual who has witnessed Askou’s methods firsthand is Motherwell midfielder Andy Halliday. Speaking on Open Goal alongside Jamie Murphy, Paul Slane and Si Ferry, Halliday offered insight into why he believes his manager’s style of play would be a better fit at Celtic than at Rangers FC.

Murphy began by describing Askou as the “standout” manager in Scotland this season, highlighting the remarkable impact he has made. Halliday then expanded on that assessment, suggesting that while Askou’s philosophy could thrive at Parkhead, it might not be as warmly received at Ibrox. In his view, Celtic supporters are more likely to embrace the style of football Askou prefers to implement.

Halliday explained that Rangers fans are primarily focused on results above all else. He suggested that the Ibrox faithful simply want to see their side secure victories, regardless of how those wins are achieved. By contrast, he believes Celtic fans expect not only success but also a certain standard of performance and entertainment. According to Halliday, Celtic supporters would be more willing to buy into a possession-based, patient approach to the game.

His comments arrive at a time when Celtic are expected to appoint a new manager in the summer. With Martin O’Neill having ruled himself out of contention, discussion around alternative candidates has intensified. Given Askou’s achievements with Motherwell, it is understandable why his name is now being mentioned in connection with the Scottish champions.

Celtic have previously shown that they are willing to take a chance on managers without extensive European pedigree. However, appointing someone currently working within the Scottish Premiership would represent a slightly different approach. Even so, the idea of Askou stepping into the role has attracted enthusiastic backing from some quarters.

Si Ferry, for example, was emphatic in his support for such a move. He even joked that he would give up his coaching role at East Kilbride to attend Celtic matches every week if Askou were appointed. Ferry made it clear that he would relish the opportunity to watch Celtic play under the Dane’s guidance, insisting that the style Askou promotes aligns perfectly with how he believes Celtic should perform.

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou – credit: Sky Sports

Murphy echoed those sentiments, stating that Celtic should at least open discussions with Askou. He argued that failing to even approach him would be questionable, given the work he has produced this season. Murphy reiterated his belief that Askou has been the most impressive manager in Scotland over the current campaign.

The admiration for Askou is not based solely on Motherwell’s position in the title race. It also stems from the manner in which the Steelmen have approached matches. Their style has drawn widespread praise, with emphasis placed on controlled build-up play and technical quality.

Celtic’s own recent history reinforces why such an approach would be appealing to their support. The club have not only dominated Scottish football for an extended period but have often done so while playing attractive, attack-minded football. The tenure of Ange Postecoglou serves as a clear example. Despite arriving with limited knowledge of the Scottish game, Postecoglou quickly implemented an expansive style that resonated with fans and delivered silverware.

Halliday contrasted that environment with the atmosphere at Rangers, referencing the reaction to goalkeeper involvement in build-up play under Russell Martin. He noted that when Jack Butland held possession to allow teammates to rotate, sections of the Rangers crowd grew restless. In Halliday’s opinion, that impatience reflects a difference in supporter mentality between the two Glasgow rivals.

Ultimately, Halliday concluded that while both sets of fans demand victories, Celtic supporters place greater emphasis on achieving those wins with flair. Rangers fans, he suggested, prioritise the end result, whereas Celtic fans want their team to triumph while also delivering an entertaining brand of football.

As speculation continues regarding Celtic’s next managerial appointment, Askou’s growing reputation ensures that his name will remain firmly in the conversation.

The SFA panel issues decision on Celtic and Rangers penalty appeals and the missed red card

The Scottish Football Association’s latest Key Match Incident (KMI) panel has concluded that two VAR mistakes occurred in recent Scottish Premiership fixtures.

The panel reviewed 17 separate incidents from matches played between February 18 and 22, including the main talking points from Celtic’s clash with Hibernian and Rangers’ encounter with Livingston on Sunday.

Trusty Red Card Upheld

In Celtic’s 2-1 loss to Hibs, defender Auston Trusty was sent off for violent conduct following an altercation with Jamie McGrath. During a corner-kick, as the two players tussled for position, Trusty struck down on McGrath’s arm with his hand.

Referee Matthew MacDermid initially missed the incident but issued a red card after being alerted by VAR official Grant Irvine. Celtic challenged the decision, but their appeal was rejected by an SFA fast-track tribunal.

Referee Matthew MacDermid shows Celtic defender Auston Trusty a red card in the match against Hibs. | SNS Group

The KMI panel unanimously supported the officials’ call, agreeing that the red card for violent conduct was the correct decision.

Split Opinion on Celtic Penalty Claim

There was less agreement, however, over a separate incident in the same match. Celtic felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Hibs defender Jack Iredale appeared to pull Liam Scales’ shirt while the score was level at 1-1.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill questioned the decision afterward, explaining that the referee had told him the hold was not sustained long enough to warrant a penalty. O’Neill suggested that grabbing an opponent’s shirt while they attempt to move toward the ball would previously have resulted in a spot-kick, but VAR opted not to intervene.

Rangers had this penalty appeal waved away in stoppage time when Cammy Kerr challenged Mikey Moore. | SNS Group

The KMI panel was divided on the matter. By a 2-1 majority, the panel concluded that the on-field decision not to award a penalty was correct. However, one member felt that VAR should have stepped in and recommended a penalty.

The official report noted that while most panel members agreed with the referee’s call, there was dissenting opinion that intervention was warranted.

Rangers Incident Sparks VAR Criticism

The KMI panel did identify a VAR error in the 2-2 draw between Livingston and Rangers at Almondvale.

The contentious moment occurred in the 94th minute. Rangers forward Mikey Moore was challenged by Cammy Kerr as he attempted a shot on goal, shortly after Rangers had come back from two goals down to level the match.

Referee Ryan Lee dismissed Rangers’ appeals at the time, and VAR official David Dickinson chose not to review the decision, even though replays appeared to show a clear foul. The initial contact between Kerr and Moore seemed to take place outside the penalty area, but the challenge continued into the box.

Much of the subsequent discussion focused on whether Rangers should have been awarded a penalty. The KMI panel was unanimous in its view that not awarding a penalty was the correct outcome.

However, the panel determined that VAR made an error by failing to recommend a red card for Kerr. They judged that the defender had denied Moore a clear goalscoring opportunity, and therefore VAR should have advised the referee to issue a dismissal.

Other Key Decisions Reviewed

The panel also examined an earlier red card in the same match. Livingston’s Cristian Montano had been sent off for a late challenge on Rangers winger Djeidi Gassama when the attacker was through on goal. The KMI panel agreed that this decision was correct.

In another case, St Mirren successfully appealed against the red card shown to Richard King during their 5-0 home defeat to Motherwell on Saturday.

Referee Callum Scott had issued the dismissal, but upon review, the KMI panel unanimously agreed that it was an error. They stated that VAR should have intervened during the match to recommend rescinding the red card.

Overall Findings

In total, the KMI panel assessed 17 separate incidents across the round of Premiership fixtures. While most decisions were deemed correct, two clear VAR errors were identified.

The first involved the failure to recommend a red card for Cammy Kerr in the Livingston versus Rangers match. The second related to Richard King’s dismissal in St Mirren’s loss to Motherwell, where VAR should have stepped in to overturn the decision.

Meanwhile, Celtic’s red card against Auston Trusty was fully supported by both the SFA tribunal and the KMI panel, and the majority of panel members backed the call not to award a penalty in their match against Hibs.

The findings underline the scrutiny placed on match officials and VAR in the Scottish Premiership, with the KMI panel continuing to review contentious decisions to ensure accountability and consistency in officiating standards.