Celtic’s VAR drama: penalty call sparks controversy.

Celtic’s narrow 2-1 loss to Hibernian is set to spark debate not only because of the scoreline but also due to a series of contentious officiating decisions that shaped the contest. Much of the post-match discussion has centred on two flashpoints shortly after halftime that dramatically altered the atmosphere inside Celtic Park. Supporters were incensed, and Liam Scales in particular was left visibly aggrieved by what unfolded.

The first major turning point arrived when Auston Trusty became involved in a confrontation with Jamie McGrath before a corner was taken. There was contact between the two players as they jostled for position. Trusty’s arm came up and appeared to make contact with the Hibernian midfielder. Initially, it seemed a minor coming together — the type of grappling commonly seen at set pieces. However, referee Matthew MacDermid was advised to consult the pitchside monitor. After reviewing the footage, he upgraded his initial decision and produced a red card instead of a yellow. The dismissal stunned the home crowd. Reduced to ten men, Celtic suddenly found themselves facing an uphill battle.

The shift in momentum was immediate. Hibernian sensed opportunity, while Celtic were forced to reorganise and protect themselves defensively. Yet the most controversial moment of the afternoon was still to come.

19th October 2025; Dens Park, Dundee, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Dundee versus Celtic; Referee Matthew MacDermid

Only minutes later, from a Celtic corner, another incident unfolded that left the stands in disbelief. As the ball was delivered into the box, Liam Scales was clearly being held by Jack Iredale. The defender’s shirt was visibly stretched as Iredale tugged him backward, pulling him away from the area where the ball was about to drop. Instead of attacking the six-yard box and challenging for possession, Scales ended up on the ground, unable to compete.

Play initially continued, adding to the confusion among players and supporters alike. Then VAR official Grant Irvine intervened. The message displayed on the stadium screen read: “Incident outside the Penalty Area.”

That explanation did little to calm frustrations. Replays suggested the contact not only began but also continued inside the box. It was not a fleeting brush or shoulder-to-shoulder tussle. It appeared to be a sustained pull that clearly impeded Scales’ movement and prevented him from contesting the ball. From Celtic’s perspective, it looked like a textbook example of a penalty being denied.

At that stage of the match, Celtic were pressing hard for a decisive goal. Even with ten men, the belief inside the stadium remained strong. A penalty award could have transformed the narrative — shifting the pressure onto Hibernian and reigniting the energy of the home support. In tight matches, such decisions can be pivotal, swinging both momentum and morale in an instant.

Instead, the call went against them. Hibernian regrouped and managed the remainder of the contest effectively. As Celtic pushed forward in search of a breakthrough, gaps inevitably appeared. Late in the game, Hibs capitalised, striking to secure the victory and silence the home crowd.

While Trusty’s sending-off undeniably complicated matters for the hosts, many supporters will argue that the refusal to award a penalty for the challenge on Scales proved just as decisive. The red card forced Celtic into damage limitation mode, but the alleged foul inside the area represented a golden opportunity to change the game’s trajectory.

When matches are finely balanced, marginal calls can carry enormous weight. Decisions reviewed by VAR are expected to provide clarity and accuracy. However, on this occasion, the explanation offered did not align with what many believed they had witnessed. For Celtic, the sense of injustice lingered long after the final whistle.

Ultimately, they left the pitch empty-handed and frustrated. Beyond the defeat itself, there was a feeling that crucial moments had not gone their way. In a contest defined by fine margins and high emotion, the officiating controversies are likely to remain a major talking point in the days ahead, with Celtic convinced they were denied a fair opportunity to influence the outcome.

Chris Sutton Offers to Mediate Amid Celtic Supporter Dispute

Chris Sutton has put himself forward as a surprise intermediary as tensions between Celtic and sections of their support continue to simmer. The former striker, who enjoyed a successful six-year spell in Glasgow, believes the ongoing dispute has lingered for too long and has now publicly suggested he could help bring both sides together.

The backdrop to his comments was Thursday night’s Europa League clash against VfB Stuttgart, a fixture that once again underscored the strained atmosphere inside Celtic Park. While the travelling fans created a vibrant display in the away end, unveiling a tifo of their own, the Green Brigade section within the North Curve remained closed, a visible reminder of the unresolved standoff.

Just 24 hours before that European tie, representatives from the Celtic Fans Collective met club officials to address the continuing exclusion of the Green Brigade. Brian Wilson was present at the meeting, where concerns were raised about the effect the ban is having on matchday atmosphere and the broader mood among supporters. According to those involved, the club acknowledged the issues brought forward, confirmed that discussions are ongoing and expressed a desire to reach a solution. However, any potential resolution would be subject to specific conditions, and no clear timeline was provided.

In a statement released on Friday evening, Wilson reiterated the need to find a way forward, again appealing for progress and compromise. Despite that call, optimism that the Green Brigade might be reinstated in time for such a significant European occasion proved unfounded.

Instead of reconciliation, the match began with a coordinated act of protest. As kick-off approached, small tennis balls and brightly coloured bouncy balls were thrown onto the pitch from the North Stand, forcing a delay of several minutes. The disruption served to amplify attention on the dispute and highlighted the ongoing divide between the club and one of its most vocal supporter groups.

Sutton, who remains closely associated with Celtic both as a former player and a prominent pundit, believes the impasse has persisted for far too long. In comments to Record Sport, he floated the idea of stepping in as a mediator between the club hierarchy and the supporters involved. Half-joking but clearly serious in intent, Sutton remarked that he would be willing to “bang a few skulls together for the greater good” if it meant restoring unity.

The sight of discord unfolding publicly on major European nights has only intensified scrutiny. Rather than being handled quietly behind closed doors, the disagreement has become part of the matchday narrative, detracting from the team’s on-field efforts. For many observers, that visibility adds urgency to calls for compromise.

Celtic face pivotal fixtures in the months ahead, both domestically and in Europe, and a growing number of supporters argue that togetherness is vital during such a decisive stretch. The absence of the Green Brigade — traditionally central to the stadium’s atmosphere — has been widely felt, particularly in high-profile matches where noise and cohesion can influence momentum.

Whether Sutton’s proposal will be formally considered remains uncertain. While his connection to the club and his forthright personality might position him as a credible bridge between factions, any mediation would ultimately depend on the willingness of both parties to engage constructively.

For now, the situation continues without a defined endpoint. Dialogue is said to be ongoing, yet tangible progress has not been publicly outlined. As frustrations simmer and protests escalate, the pressure to find common ground grows stronger.

Celtic’s immediate focus will remain on performances on the pitch, but the wider issue cannot be ignored indefinitely. If unity is to be restored before the season reaches its climax, meaningful steps will need to be taken sooner rather than later. Sutton’s intervention may have been delivered with characteristic bluntness, but it underscores a broader sentiment: this dispute cannot simply drift on without resolution.

Andy Robertson is returning to his boyhood club Celtic amid summer transfer rumors

Andy Robertson was seen in the stands at Celtic Park on Thursday night as Celtic FC suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to VfB Stuttgart in the Europa League playoffs, fueling fresh speculation about a potential return to his boyhood club.

Celtic’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (centre) celebrates with his team mates after he scored his sides second goal during the William Hill Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Wednesday February 11, 2026.

The Liverpool left-back, who was born in Glasgow, began his football journey within Celtic’s youth system before eventually making his name in Scottish football with Queen’s Park. Despite forging a successful career elsewhere, Robertson has never hidden his lifelong support for Celtic, and his presence at the stadium inevitably sparked conversation given ongoing transfer rumours.

With Liverpool FC enjoying a slightly extended break ahead of their Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest FC on Sunday, Robertson took the opportunity to attend the European fixture. He was accompanied by his close friend Lee Nobes, Liverpool’s head of rehab physiotherapy, as he watched events unfold from the crowd.

Unfortunately for the home supporters, it was a difficult evening. The match also marked a milestone occasion for Celtic manager Martin O’Neill, as it was his 1,000th game in management. However, the celebratory mood never materialised. Celtic conceded inside the opening 15 minutes of the first leg of their Europa League last-16 playoff tie. Although they briefly restored parity to make it 1-1, Stuttgart ultimately dominated proceedings and ran out convincing 4-1 winners.

As part of TNT Sports’ broadcast, former Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart reflected on Robertson’s presence and his previous praise of the Celtic atmosphere. Hart suggested that Robertson had enthusiastically promoted the club’s European nights to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who recently joined Celtic.

“[Robertson] sold it to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain when he told him about coming to Celtic, the atmosphere. The big European night,” Hart said. “He just hasn’t seen it tonight, has he?”

Oxlade-Chamberlain, however, was unable to participate in the match. Having completed his free transfer to Celtic too late, he was not eligible for registration in the Europa League knockout rounds. Instead, he joined Robertson in observing from the stands as Stuttgart seized control of the tie.

The German side’s commanding performance was driven by a brace from Bilal El Khannouss, alongside additional goals from Jamie Leweling and Tiago Tomas. Their clinical display leaves Celtic facing an uphill task in the return leg next week.

Robertson’s attendance comes amid continued uncertainty about his long-term future. While there was reported interest from Tottenham Hotspur FC during the January transfer window, speculation has increasingly centred on the possibility of a move to Celtic once his Liverpool contract expires in the summer.

The Glasgow club would almost certainly welcome the chance to bring him back. His past comments and clear affection for Celtic suggest he views a return as a genuine option rather than mere sentimentality. Nevertheless, the decision may not be straightforward. At 31, Robertson remains a key figure at Liverpool, and an extension at Anfield has not been ruled out.

Speaking in 2020, Robertson openly discussed the idea of eventually representing Celtic. At the time, he was firmly established as Liverpool’s first-choice left-back and one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers. Yet he acknowledged that the possibility of playing for his boyhood club remained close to his heart.

“I think it’s going to be quite hard, but I would love to be able to finish my career here,” he said, referring to Liverpool. He added that if he could maintain his standards into his mid-to-late 30s — similar to the longevity shown by James Milner — he would be content to conclude his career at Anfield.

However, Robertson was equally candid about his affection for Celtic. “I’ve always said I’d love to pull on a Celtic top and to play,” he admitted. He also expressed fond memories of his time with Dundee United but emphasised that football careers can take unexpected turns.

“You never say never, you’re a long-time retired as they say,” he remarked. “I want to play as long as I can, and if that’s finishing up in Scotland, or at one point going up to Scotland, then I would be open to it.”

Still, his preference remained clear. “My ideal situation is probably finishing down – with hopefully a couple more trophies – at Liverpool.”

For now, Robertson’s appearance at Celtic Park may simply reflect his enduring support rather than any imminent move. Yet with his contract situation evolving and speculation intensifying, the sight of him back at his boyhood club has only added intrigue to what could become one of the summer’s most compelling transfer stories.