Former Rangers and Hearts player backs Celtic over match defining VAR calls

Former Rangers and Hearts player Neil McCann has said that Celtic are right to be aggrieved after ‘calamitous’ officiating in Sunday’s defeat at Tynecastle. The Jambos took all three points as Brendan Rodgers’ side passed up the chance to go top after Rangers were beaten at Ibrox by Motherwell.

On two occasions, John Beaton on VAR interjected and ordered Don Robertson to conduct an on-field review, which reduced Celtic to ten men and then handed Hearts the chance to take the lead from the spot.

Speaking on Sportscene, McCann told host Jonathan Sutherland when asked what he thought of the decision to send Yang off for a high boot against Alex Cochrane.

“No. Pure and simply, no.

“I don’t think there’s any real malice at all.

“Yes, it’s reckless because his foot is high but I don’t think there’s intention from the boy to hurt Cochrane. I feel that the referee’s on-field decision is right and it’s a yellow card.

“For him to be asked to go to the monitor to have another look is completely wrong.

“The red card shouldn’t have been issued.”

Heart of Midlothian v Celtic – cinch Premiership – Tynecastle Park Celtics Greg Taylor right and Celtics Cameron Carter-Vickers speak with match referee Don Robertson after he awards a penalty to Heart of Midlothian during the cinch Premiership match at Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh. Picture date: Saturday March 2, 2024. Copyright: Andrew Milligan

McCann then lamented the decision to award a penalty against Tomoki Iwata, who was penalised after the ball hit his arm when he had his back turned and was nudged out the way by Alistair Johnston. There were no Hearts players appealing for it and it was obvious why, there was nothing in it.

“It’s just another calamitous weekend for me in terms of decisions missed and decisions given by officials, whether on the pitch or off the field.

“It’s a totally wrong decision. I understand the laws of the game and that his arm is away from his body.

“But the boy doesn’t know anything about it. It’s hit his arm clearly but there’s no intent.”

Celtic will need to bounce back from the disappointment in this game and look towards going on a perfect run until the end of the season. Rangers showed they’re fragile and will drop points, too but Celtic need to be at their very best to ensure that a Double returns to Paradise.