Aidan Smith: VAR is terrible, but teams can’t criticize it only when it fits their needs

Well, did they or didn’t they? We need to know, we must be advised …

Sorry if you suppose I’m referring to something infinitely extra fascinating like an erotic film and whether or not the hot couple were appearing or their bedroom scenes contained a right deal of truth. This is merely about Hibs and The Great Non-Penalty Outrage.

Last Saturday at Pittodrie a cross swung in from the left regarded to strike the arm of Aberdeen’s Nicky Devlin. But the spot-kick wasn’t awarded. Not by using referee David Munro or by a VAR intervention.

Hibs have been raging and requested a assembly with the SFA who conceded the incident need to have resulted in an on-field review. But did they or didn’t they? Did the SFA apologise for the error? Hibs claimed they did but the game’s governors deny this.

I’m extraordinarily positive an apology wasn’t issued and am now not surprised the SFA would choose to make that clear. Otherwise they’d be saying sorry a lot of the time proper now.

Hibs’ Great Non-Penalty Outrage follows Rangers’ Great Non-Penalty Outrage in the Old Firm in shape at New Year. That itself was once one of no much less than thirteen choices deemed mistaken by using the SFA’s VAR Independent Review Panel in the 2d spherical of Premiership fixtures. The figure was once launched just two days before the Devlin incident when referee chief Crawford Allan tried to declare that VAR is adding “value and accuracy” to our game. He must have winced at what passed off at Pittodrie, though. And the guffaws from fans of all golf equipment which would have greeted his defence of VAR will only have been louder forty eight hours later.

VAR may additionally have received some matters proper – by using sheer law of averages it must

have done, yes? But the place is Allan’s “value” in the frustration of long-delayed outcomes, breaking up the free drift of a recreation that prides itself on such? The wimp-out absence of any in-game explanation for stated effects for spectators? The dousing of aim celebrations, onfield and off, a foremost attraction of football after all, however which are never the identical after anyone has been left picking their nostril so the video boys ought to choose apart key incidents like the cold case pathologists on Silent Witness, throttling them to supply up even simply an offside toenail?

One of the many matters VAR has now not achieved is get rid of conspiracy theories. In fact it’s delivered a few more. Clubs will believe they’re being unfairly dealt with by way of VAR over and above all the ways they are unfairly handled normally. The assertion from Hibs after the assembly with the beaks read: “This is no longer the first occasion the place the club have acquired an apology for VAR errors.” I don’t comprehend the current placings in the league desk of the teams most carried out down via VAR and whether Hibs are ahead of Rangers? And I’m also undecided of the positions of all the golf equipment who’ve performed Rangers and in no way been awarded a penalty – but the table ought to be published, right?

Is there a conspiracy concept in the truth it isn’t? Maybe. Any more conspiracy theories? Well, how about the suspicion clubs will bleat about VAR to deflect from their very own failings, to blame them on the dastardly tech and use it as a smokescreen?

Hibs didn’t win that game. The group are beneath pressure, the manager, too. But the narrative post-match and up to the Hampden assembly and beyond was once all about VAR and the perceived injustice. The comedy defending which enabled Aberdeen to take the lead didn’t lots figure.

And isn’t it a bit wealthy to complain about the second-sight officiating, or lack of it, related to a single incident in a match when in any other incident you’re fortunate no longer to condede a penalty and perhaps worse, your goalkeeper despatched off for what Aberdeen referred to as “manslaughter”? And on top of that didn’t you gain – same healthy – from a revised adjudication, your equaliser at first flagged for offside however then allowed?

Aberdeen didn’t make any grievance to the SFA afterwards, presumably because they be given that in football, you win some and you lose some. Cliche alert: these things even themselves out. This was how it was once pre-VAR and the way it nonetheless is now.

But wasn’t VAR supposed to be clear, absolute and definitive, ending all the arguments? That’s what we all idea or at the very least hoped. It’s being used wrongly. St Johnstone supervisor Craig Levein, after his side were hit by two Rangers penalties final Sunday, bemoaned how “the guys in the booth” are making too many of the calls in games, suggesting referees be positioned on half-pay. His cheek may also make us smile, but isn’t Levein, like Nick Sir Bernard Law and Philippe Clement before him, simply every other manager moaning about VAR?

It’s certainly being overused. How many slo-mo re-runs is too many? Though you would possibly pity the evaluation teams if the photos at their disposal is no better than what BBC Scotland exhibit in highlights structure on Sportscene. Sky, who broadcast the Old Firm sport live, offered a number of angles on Alistair Johnston sticking up an arm and getting away with it however there used to be solely one, and now not terribly conclusive, for the Devlin incident.

To be honest to Levein he did not say St Johnstone lost their recreation due to the fact of VAR. Hibs did not draw theirs due to the fact of VAR and truely have the tech to thank, in any other case they ought to have lost. Meanwhile they continue amassing apologies. Maybe they seem to be exceptional on the mantelpiece but I reckon the fans would alternatively see higher performances and greater points.

Rangers criticize kickoff timing; Celtic offers an explanation; Aberdeen is “bullied”; Hibs loan terminated

All the contemporary from the pre-match press conferences beforehand of the weekend’s Premiership action

Managers and players have been talking to the press beforehand of the weekend’s football – here’s what they have been saying:

Rangers unhappy with Benfica kick-off time

Rangers have been passed a prize Europa League last 16 draw towards Benfica – even though the domestic leg on March 14 will kick off at 5.45pm, an awful lot to the displeasure of the Ibrox club. Rangers had hoped for a regular 8pm begin time for the second leg in opposition to the Portuguese cracks and say the count is outwith their control. A announcement read: “Rangers, on behalf of our supporters, are upset to have realized our Round of sixteen Europa League domestic suit with Benfica, on Thursday March 14, will kick-off at 17:45. Despite a strong case being made to UEFA for the fixture to be played in the regular 20:00 slot, it is as an alternative to begin drastically earlier, chiefly due to broadcaster commitments, and for that reason probable purpose vast inconvenience and disruption to our supporters. The club utterly sympathises with our loyal supporters for the additional sacrifices they may also need to make to attend the match, with this problem falling completely backyard of our control.”

Owen Bevan, left, failed to make an appearance at Hibs due to injury

Owen Bevan, left, failed to make an appearance at Hibs due to injury.

Hart explains his retirement

Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart has lifted the lid on his decision to retire at the cease of the season. Hart said: “I have loved every second of being here, myself and my family, it’s been everything and more than I desired it to be, and I will be invariably proud that I represented this club. The most alluring aspect for me is a lot of the humans here respect that I come and I provide my all. Whether it’s good, awful or indifferent. I’m positive there’s a lot of instances when people desired me in, desired me out, however that’s the life of a goalkeeper. But in the end you are revered as a person, and welcomed into a in reality specific club. I will be 37 at the give up of this season. What direction the club needs to go, whether or not I equipped into that, I wasn’t too sure. We didn’t even have that conversation. I actually wasn’t fascinated in going and trying to play somewhere else.”

Warnock tells Dons to stand up to Killie

Aberdeen manager Neil Warnock has instructed his players to stand up to the challenge of Kilmarnock after observing photos of them being “bullied” on their preceding visit to Rugby Park. The Dons have misplaced twice to former supervisor Derek McInnes’ facet this season, together with a 2-0 defeat on the artificial floor in Ayrshire in October. Warnock said: “Obviously I watched our remaining recreation (at Kilmarnock) and one or two people have commented how negative we were. I simply hope we can supply a better account of ourselves. I don’t prefer to go down there and put the white flag up because our supporters will be touring down in numbers.”

Naismith takes heart from current Glasgow trips

Hearts head train Steven Naismith will lean on their latest performances in Glasgow as he looks for his players to exhibit the sturdy mentality they will want to upset Rangers. Rangers went top of the desk last weekend however Hearts have simply outshone them over every side’s past 10 league matches, accumulating 28 factors to their hosts’ 27. That run commenced with a 2-0 victory at Celtic Park and former Kilmarnock, Rangers and Hearts forward Naismith will draw on that journey as his side bid for a ninth consecutive victory in all competitions. “It helps but I assume it’s phase of the progression we have had,” he said. “In my enjoying days here, we very hardly ever went to Celtic Park or Ibrox and obtained a end result and you probably went into games in no way having a feeling that you had been going to. Up to this point, we have managed to alternate that. Last season we acquired a 2-2 at Ibrox, we received at Celtic Park this year, we had been shut at Ibrox this season. So we are managing to deal with the state of affairs and the event an awful lot better. So we lean on all that.”

Hibs loanee Bevan sent returned to Cherries

Owen Bevan’s mortgage deal at Hibs has been terminated due to injury. The 20-year-old defender joined from Bournemouth remaining month but failed to make an appearance, with the Welshman now doing his rehab with the English Premier League club. “We can confirm that Owen Bevan has back to AFC Bournemouth following a further injury,” a Hibs assertion read. “The young centre-half joined Hibs on loan on Deadline Day with the layout to link up with Nick Montgomery’s First Team squad on Monday 5 February, 2024. Unfortunately, Owen had an harm setback at some stage in his rehabilitation programme, which capacity he will stay with the Cherries until the quit of the 2023/24 campaign. Everyone at Hibernian FC wishes Owen all the pleasant with his recovery.”

Robinson not sorry for being passionate after spat with St Mirren fan

Stephen Robinson will no longer apologise for being “passionate” about St Mirren after closing week’s bust-up with a supporter was smoothed over. The Buddies boss grew to be embroiled in an argument with one of his own followers following the 1-0 cinch Premiership defeat by means of Livingston in West Lothian. Robinson, who this week celebrated two years in cost of the Paisley club, would not verify that the origin of the spat used to be the fan questioning the heart of the players, as cautioned by way of assistant Diarmuid O’Carroll after the game. However, beforehand of the domestic recreation against St Johnstone on Saturday, he reflected on the incident and said: “A frustrated supervisor and a annoyed fan. I have spoken to the fan since. There is no issue whatsoever. We each want the identical thing. I disagreed with his evaluation of the game. I am very protecting of my players, like my kids, possibly too defensive at times. But that is my job, to take the strain off them. I get criticism each and every week in quite a number forms, some greater abusive than others, and that wasn’t the case on Saturday. It was once any person expressing an opinion that I didn’t agree with. He reached out to me and apologised and that apology was accepted. It was once just two annoyed people. We have spoken various times. He is a desirable guy, a large St Mirren supporter and he will be there on Saturday. I won’t apologise for being passionate and emotional. I am an emotional person, I have put a lot of work into this football club.”

‘It would make sense’ – Jose Mourinho tipped for shock move to Celtic

Jose Mourinho joining Celtic would make sense.

This is the view of talkSPORT’s Shebahn Aherne, who believes the ‘Special One’ in the Old Firm would carry the ‘magic’ to Scottish football.

The legendary manager, a three-time Premier League winner with Chelsea, is currently besides a membership following his departure from Roma in January.

Mourinho won the Europa Conference League in his first season and Roma’s first trophy for 11 years to add to his illustrious series that includes two Champions League titles.

However, he left the membership ninth in Serie A and is now anticipating his subsequent appointment, one that ought to be notably made in Scotland.

Speaking on Hawksbee and Jacobs for talkSPORT, presenter and Celtic fan Aherne revealed her belief that the Bhoys ought to be a doable destination.

Aherne said: “I like the idea. He’s in his 60’s now, he’s a legend, I think he may want to spice up the Scottish Premiership. I assume the notion of Jose Mourinho being involved in Old Firms [derby in opposition to Rangers] could be total magic and additionally it could provide them a threat of Europe.

“The [s***]housery would be real, it would be utter chaos and we like to see that. Okay, there’s traces to the chaos right here however I do think that there’s something in it there.”

Speaking on his previous job, she added: “You seem at the job that Jose did at Roma, the proud moments that it brought for him over his career, Celtic is a massive membership all over the world, a world-renowned golf equipment

“And then we discuss about money, would they be capable to find the money for him? You seem at what he earned at Roma, it was once around about €6million the salary over the year, [Brendan Rodgers is on] about £3-3.5million however we all comprehend the price of residing is a little bit less expensive in Glasgow.”

Mourinho reportedly snubbed the Celtic job in 2021 after he used to be sacked through Tottenham and he has held a previous interest in the club.

Aherne added: “He surely spoke about Brendan Rodgers, his first stint at Celtic, and how he credited the job that he’d carried out at the club. So he does have eyes on Celtic, he is conscious of the club and the stature.

“We’re also listening to that there’s hyperlinks to the Bayern [Munich] job too due to the fact he’s been getting to know German but we can educate him colloquial Glaswegian. He could definitely have a birthday celebration up in Glasgow, imagine that? I textual content my dad, my dad said, ‘I’d love Jose Mourinho.’”

Graeme Souness tells Simon Jordan of Jose Mourinho’s largest be apologetic about at Manchester United was getting rid of Zlatan Ibrahimovic

With Celtic sitting 2nd in the Scottish Premiership behind Rangers and pressure constructing on Brendan Rodgers, Aherne further introduced to her case, saying: “It would make sense, wouldn’t it?

“Big manager, large club, journey in Europe. Celtic are terrible in Europe, Brendan Rodgers certainly is worse in Europe I suppose than Celtic are. He’s obtained a horrible record, so a supervisor that really ought to deliver maybe some glory.”

Mourinho has gained 26 essential trophies throughout his career, with his most magnificent spells coming at Porto, Chelsea and Real Madrid.

He lately printed that he earlier became down the England job and shut down speculation over a return to Manchester United, with whom he won the Carabao Cup and Europa League.

“So weak”: Mark Wilson claims that a “lazy” player at Celtic shouldn’t be anywhere close to the starting lineup

A can of worms was once opened up on Saturday when Celtic dropped factors to Kilmarnock, wasn’t it?

The Celtic fans made their emotions perfectly clear when the full-time whistle went at Parkhead and since then there has been a entire host of criticism aimed at the club.

But as most of the spotlight falls on the recruitment facet of the club’s business, it used to be a signing made with the aid of Ange Postecoglou that is on the receiving stop of this contemporary scathing assessment.

Alexandro Bernabei has been hitting the headlines over recent weeks with his semi-decent performances as he filled in for the injured Greg Taylor.

However, after coming on as a second-half substitute against Kilmarnock, the Argentine fullback did nothing to promote his case for being a started out in the eyes of Mark Wilson.

In fact, Wilson believes that after his part in the Killie equaliser, Bernabei be nowhere near the Celtic first team.

Wilson said [Superscoreboard], “No, he shouldn’t be. And I hate being harsh on players due to the fact humans assume it’s convenient to play for Celtic and you’ve got a lot of the ball.

“Now that’s a failing on the phase of recruitment, Brendan Rodgers himself no longer bringing any individual in. But when you get given the jersey and you get put on you have acquired to be greater resolute than Bernabei is.

“Now, I made a funny story when Bernabei was once coming on for Tayolr and I said, ‘Oh, you get enjoyment one way or the other. There’s a bit of chaos coming on.’

“So I knew he would do something. I just didn’t know what side of the pitch it was going to be.

“I knew there was once something that was once going to transpire with him coming on. I mean, so susceptible defensively if you look at the goal.

“And do you recognize what I think that is? That’s lazy defending. That’s ‘I don’t want to venture for this ball. I a feeler wee bit of strain on me so I’m just going to hope that the ref offers a push.’

“That’s lazy defending.”

Indeed, this is now not the first time Bernanbei has come beneath some scathing criticism at Celtic. Missing Rodgers’ first-ever team assembly at the beginning of the season certainly didn’t endear the 23-year-old to the Celtic manager.

And after his brand new mistake in opposition to Kilmarnock, I would be surprised if we ever noticed him in a Celtic jersey ever again.

Celtic’s transfer operation is called “strange” since Idah interferes with the team and makes it difficult for Kuhn to play for Kilmarnock

Brendan Rodgers’ men now find themselves in second spot behind Rangers in the race for the league title

Nicolas Kuhn has been instructed he would not walk into the Kilmarnock team after an evaluation over his early Celtic impact.

The winger arrived in a £3million deal from Rapid Vienna as one of two January recruits alongside striker Adam Idah, who joined on a loan deal until the summer time from Norwich City. Both signings have been branded “really strange” by pundit Stephen McGinn, who reckons the champions needed to do real business for the duration of the January window and has named one vicinity of the park in precise that used to be essential to get fresh pleasant into the club.

Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah in Celtic training

Brendan Rodgers and his troops now locate themselves in 2d spot in the Premiership standings after they dropped points at home to Kilmarnock on Saturday and presented Rangers the risk to leapfrog them and move clear. Philippe Clement and his guys did just that as they defeated St Johnstone 3-0 in Perth to open up a two point gain ahead of the subsequent spherical of games. The Light Blues host Hearts 24 hours earlier than the Hoops play on the street at Motherwell as they are looking for to ramp up the pressure even more.

Delivering his views on the Scottish Football podcast, McGinn explained: “You felt they surely needed to do business. They wanted assist in the January window.

“The wingers at the club are not desirable to the way he wishes to play. Daizen Maeda and Liel Abada. They both did a super job the way Ange Postecoglou desired to play – the pace, one touch and move – but there is extra manipulate beneath Brendan Rodgers’ recreation and I sense it is an region of the park they virtually wished to strengthen.

“I just determined the two bits of commercial enterprise they did in January absolutely strange. Adam Idah looks like a promising participant with lots of potential. But bringing him to begin has probable disrupted the solely right bits of Celtic’s team this season in terms of the way they completed before the ruin with the midfield three of [Callum] McGregor, [Matt] O’Riley and [Paulo] Bernardo. That is in all likelihood the place they had the side over Rangers in terms of the pleasant in midfield. That’s been damaged up to in shape in Idah.

“Nicolas Kuhn? When you talk about spending thousands and thousands on a player to improve a team. Kenny [Miller] has been in a million altering rooms and when a signing comes in you assume ‘Is he going to play for us?’ and right away you get a buzz. On the proof so a ways Nicolas Kuhn would not appear like he would walk into the Kilmarnock group with how properly Danny Armstrong and Matty Kennedy are playing.

“I can not believe they didn’t do serious commercial enterprise in terms of attempting to enhance the XI. I am now not amazed that Brendan Rodgers is sounding sincerely prickly and frustrated.”

Liel Abada’s Celtic career could have taken a significant turn after domestic reports surfaced

Celtic winger Liel Abada is at the centre of a subtle situation at Parkhead, and his future at the membership is whatever but sure primarily based on present day evidence.

The Israel international has been at the centre of a difficult non-public situation amid ongoing occasions in his homeland, which has led Brendan Rodgers to leave him out of his closing two matchday squads.

Irish boss Rodgers has since admitted that Abada could leave the club, mentioning in his pre-match press convention before the Hoops’ draw with Kilmarnock: “It’s a possibility, it’s a possibility. But we’ll see. We will work collectively on it.”

Reports advise that clubs from Major League Soccer are open to acquiring the 22-year-old on a everlasting basis, with a mortgage deal additionally deemed to be a distinct possibility.

During his time at Celtic, Abada has featured on 112 occasions across all competitions, registering 29 goals and 22 assists in total, as per Transfermarkt.

Nevertheless, his performances this time period haven’t hit the mark, which might also be explained via the modern instances he finds himself in.

Liel Abada’s Celtic future could be set for every other twist

According to Israeli outlet Sport 5, Abada’s agent will tour to Glasgow to attempt and thrash out a Parkhead exit for his client, with a permanent deal on the cards.

The document states that the charge Celtic are demanding is stated to be problematic; nevertheless, it is certainly viable that the 22-year-old may want to leave the club.

Despite his uncertain future, the Bhoys aren’t involved in any agreement that would see Abada head out on a loan basis.

In the January window, the Petah Tikva-born man attracted suitors from England, France and Germany before ultimately closing at Parkhead [Daily Record].

Celtic are between a rock and a hard area with Liel Abada

On one hand, Abada is undoubtedly a proficient participant who has contributed with a lot of necessary moments throughout his three-year spell in Glasgow.

Despite this, it appears his personal circumstances may additionally have created a state of affairs where a clean destroy between both events is now the most probable outcome.

Either way, his situation ought to be resolved, as it has grow to be a well-documented sideshow in the Hoops’ efforts to claim the Scottish Premiership title.

Brendan Rodgers is accused by a furious fan of unseen Celtic sin before his on-air meltdown lands bristling “crisis” correction

The Parkhead support booed the facet off following their 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock.

A raging Celtic fan has claimed Brendan Rodgers LAUGHED as his facet have been held via a late equaliser from Kilmarnock.

But the irked punter used to be told by Celtic hero Mark Wilson that the club are a ways from a disaster despite Rangers being surpassed the risk to cross to the top of the Scottish Premiership. The home help interior Celtic Park had been left massively dissatisfied by means of the 1-1 draw at home to Kilmarnock – with the slip-up handing Philippe Clement’s facet the chance to go two points clear if they beat St Johnstone.

But it wasn’t only the result that left Clyde 1 Superscoreboard caller Frank raging at the full-time whistle as declared he had spied Rodgers “laughing” before the full-time whistle. He claimed: “Three minutes earlier than the full-time whistle Brendan Rodgers standing laughing. That is what annoyed me the most. Rodgers used to be on every display screen in Parkhead laughing. I don’t recognize what is laughing at, because it is now not funny.”

Pundit Gordon Dalziel responded: “He need to no longer have (smiled) before the stop due to the fact Celtic fans and all and sundry concerned will keep it towards him.” But with temperatures rising over a doable crisis at Celtic Park, former Parkhead defender Wilson attempted to calm the situation.

He chimed in: “How can there be a crisis? We’re far from a crisis just now. Celtic have played poorly in that closing 45 minutes (against Kilmarnock).

“They’ve now not lost the game; they had been really terrible in that ultimate forty five minutes and they ought to have misplaced it, so I get the anger, frustration and uncooked emotion from fans. t’s the second danger that Rangers have got to overtake them, however human beings saying Rodgers ought to walk tonight, come on!”

Premier League offer ‘tempted’ Rodgers, according to a Celtic exclusive