Michael Stewart blasts VAR after controversial calls derail Hearts’ Scottish Cup hopes

Michael Stewart launched a furious critique of two key VAR decisions that he believes played a decisive role in Hearts’ dramatic Scottish Cup exit, branding one missed penalty call as “quite incredible” during co-commentary duties.

The former Hearts midfielder was working alongside Rory Hamilton as the Jambos were knocked out of the competition by fellow Premiership side Falkirk following a tense 1-1 draw after extra time and a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat. Hearts eventually lost 5-4 from the spot, with Elton Kabangu missing the crucial kick that ended their cup run at the fourth-round stage, a tournament they last won back in 2012.

The match itself took a heavy physical toll on Hearts. Star striker and captain Lawrence Shankland was forced off injured during extra time, while influential midfielder Cammy Devlin also picked up a lower-leg injury that later left him requiring crutches. Despite those setbacks, Hearts pushed the tie all the way to penalties, only to be left ruing what Stewart felt were glaring officiating errors.

Speaking in the aftermath, Stewart argued that VAR had a significant influence on the outcome of the game, highlighting two moments in particular that he believes went against Hearts. The first came shortly after half-time when Hearts thought they had taken the lead through Tomas Magnusson. However, celebrations were cut short when the goal was ruled out following a VAR check for an alleged handball in the build-up.

Stewart was adamant that the decision was wrong and expressed disbelief at the conclusion reached by the officials, even after reviewing multiple replays. He insisted there was no clear evidence that the ball struck Magnusson’s arm and claimed it instead rebounded off the back of Falkirk’s Dylan Tait.

According to Stewart, none of the angles shown provided conclusive proof of handball. He repeatedly stated that the ball clearly came off Tait’s back and could not understand how VAR intervened without showing a definitive image to support the call. His frustration was evident as he described himself as “flabbergasted” by the ruling.

Co-commentator Rory Hamilton took the opposite view, suggesting that VAR had made the correct decision and that the ball did appear to strike Magnusson’s arm. Stewart, however, remained unconvinced, reiterating that the initial angles supported his belief that there was no handball and that Hearts had been unfairly denied a legitimate goal.

While that decision angered Stewart, it was a later incident involving Blair Spittal that truly sparked his most explosive reaction. During the second half, the Hearts midfielder went down inside the Falkirk penalty area under a challenge from defender Filip Lissah. Play was allowed to continue, and no penalty was awarded, either on the field or following a VAR review.

Stewart was incensed, arguing that Spittal had clearly been clipped from behind and that the challenge met every requirement for a penalty kick. He questioned how VAR failed to intervene, especially given its remit to review potential clear and obvious errors, regardless of whether the referee initially stopped play.

He pointed out that although the phase of play continued for a short period after the incident, VAR should still have checked it thoroughly and advised the referee to bring the game back if a foul had occurred. Stewart insisted that replays showed Lissah getting on the wrong side of Spittal before clipping his heels, causing him to fall.

In Stewart’s view, the incident was as straightforward a penalty decision as officials are ever likely to encounter. He described it as “clear-cut” and expressed disbelief that it went unpunished. His criticism extended directly to the VAR team, singling out Andrew Dallas for failing to act.

The irony, Stewart noted, was that Hearts were eventually awarded a penalty later in the game, which Shankland converted to cancel out Ben Parkinson’s earlier goal for Falkirk and force extra time. However, Stewart maintained that the earlier incident involving Spittal should also have resulted in a spot kick and could have changed the course of the match long before penalties were required.

Ultimately, Hearts’ attention must now turn to league action, with a massive Premiership clash against Celtic looming next weekend. However, Stewart’s outspoken criticism ensures that the debate around VAR’s role in Scottish football will continue, with Hearts left to wonder what might have been had those decisions gone their way on a bruising and controversial cup night.

2023 arrival poised for Middlesbrough exit in £750,000 transfer

Lukas Engel is set to bring his Middlesbrough spell to an end after slipping down the club’s pecking order, with a permanent transfer now agreed for the Danish defender.

Reports from The Northern Echo state that Middlesbrough have finalised a deal to sell Engel to Major League Soccer side Real Salt Lake for a fee of $1 million, which is roughly £750,000. The move would see the left-back leave Teesside less than two years after arriving at the Riverside Stadium.

Boro are taking a calculated approach to the January transfer window as new head coach Kim Hellberg begins reshaping the squad. While the club are not expected to overhaul the team mid-season, selective departures are being used to free up space and resources for carefully chosen additions.

With promotion to the Premier League remaining the long-term ambition, Middlesbrough’s recruitment strategy is focused on efficiency rather than volume. Moving on fringe players is viewed as a necessary step in allowing Hellberg to assemble a group better suited to his vision, and Engel has emerged as one of the first names likely to move on.

According to the report, Real Salt Lake had already identified Engel as a target after selecting him in the MLS re-entry draft prior to Christmas. That move laid the groundwork for negotiations, which have now concluded with an agreement between the two clubs.

Engel, who joined Middlesbrough in 2023, is expected to sign a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Utah-based club, marking a permanent departure from English football.

There has been little resistance to the decision from supporters. Engel arrived in England with a strong reputation after excelling at Silkeborg IF in Denmark, where he was known for his attacking contributions from left-back. His energy, crossing ability and creativity made him a standout performer in the Danish Superliga.

However, translating that form to the Championship proved difficult. Despite receiving opportunities, Engel struggled to establish himself as a reliable first-choice option and was unable to consistently influence matches in the way he had previously done in his homeland.

At 27, the Dane was unable to convince the coaching staff that he could be the long-term solution on the left side of defence. That uncertainty ultimately led to a loan move to FC Cincinnati last winter, where he enjoyed a more positive spell and appeared to regain confidence in his game.

Image courtesy of: CRAIG BROUGH/REUTERS.

His performances in MLS seemingly caught the attention of Real Salt Lake, who now believe Engel can add value to their squad. With Hellberg now in charge at Middlesbrough, the left-back has not been offered a fresh opportunity to fight his way back into contention, prompting the club to cash in.

When a managerial change takes place, players on the fringes are often handed a clean slate. In Engel’s case, that chance has not materialised, with Boro instead opting to cut their losses and reinvest elsewhere.

For Engel, the move represents an opportunity to reset and rediscover the form that once made him such a highly regarded defender in Denmark. A return to the United States offers a new environment and a chance to play regular football as he enters the next chapter of his career.

During his time with Middlesbrough, Engel made 53 appearances in all competitions, registering two goals and four assists. While those numbers reflect moments of promise, they were not enough to cement his place in the squad.

Engel is expected to be the first senior departure of Middlesbrough’s winter window, but he may not be the last. Goalkeeper Seny Dieng is widely tipped to move on, with Championship rivals Hull City heavily linked with the Swiss international.

Image courtesy of: PAUL CHILDS/REUTERS.

Elsewhere, Bristol City have been credited with interest in forward Delano Burgzorg, while uncertainty remains surrounding Matt Targett’s loan spell amid injury problems at his parent club, Newcastle United.

Young players could also be on the move temporarily. Sonny Finch and George McCormick are both attracting attention and may be loaned out as Middlesbrough continue to fine-tune their squad over the coming weeks.

Image courtesy of: SCOTT HEPPELL/REUTERS

As Hellberg continues to shape the group in his image, further changes appear inevitable, with Engel’s departure likely just the beginning of Middlesbrough’s January business.