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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Smith

Ange Postecoglou's on-air VAR rant in full as Celtic boss details how technology is jolting his Parkhead plans

ANGE POSTECOGLOU was quick to criticise VAR as Celtic defeated Dundee United in the Premiership today to extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points.

The Hoops defeated the Terrors by 4-2 at Celtic Park, but the new video technology for referees was once again a talking point.

Postecoglou's team took the lead before Steven Fletcher levelled matters from the penalty spot and the award has already come in for criticism.

Defender Alexandro Bernabei was penalised for handball inside the penalty area by whistler David Dickinson after he was urged to take a second look of the incident on the pitchside monitors.

Postecoglou has already vented his frustrations about VAR since it came into action in recent weeks and the Aussie was quick to make his feelings known again today at full-time .

"I just think now, the way it looks, apart from if we are playing against Hearts at Tynecastle, if it hits your hand in the box it is a penalty," he told BBC Sportsound.

"I don't even know why they bother about natural or unnatural. Bernabei wasn't even looking at the call. 

"How is he supposed to know that his arm is in an unnatural position? It basically means if the ball hits your arm in the box it's a penalty.

"If that is the way they want to define it then it will change the game and it will change the way people defend. 

"You are literally going to stop putting your body in line with the ball because any sort of contact is going to be a penalty.

"That is the way it is being interpreted. That is three instances we have had within two games where in at least two of the occasions, the guys haven't even known that the ball is on it's way.

"Like I say if someone can explain to me how Bernabei who is going for a header and the ball has gone behind him and hit his arm in the air, can adjust his position to let that ball go.

"Anyway, it is what it is. Like I say that is more about the rules of the game.

"VAR has thrown the cat amongst the pigeons in terms of the rules that we always knew and understood.

"Now all of a sudden it is changing on a weekly basis.

"[Looking at the Tynecastle one] part of me says that is something they need to clarify is why one is handball and one is not.

"The crazy thing about the one at Tynecastle was that the referee wasn't even asked to look at it. It has hit his hand.

"I am sure there is an explanation out there somewhere. My frustration is not with VAR or the officials.

"I actually felt for the officials today. It is just taking too long.

"If they think Bernabei has handled the ball, you can see that on the first replay? Why are we taking three minutes to make that decision?

"I don't understand that. My frustration is that we try to play football that is entertaining. 

"Our fans want to see the team get going and our players want to play the game.

"The incident with Giakoumakis. The referee hasn't even blown for a foul and there is a possible red card check.

"How long does it take if the referee hasn't seen a foul. To me I don't think it is a red card, that is fine, make the decision and we move on.

"There are teething issues here. People need to understand that it is affecting games now, not the outcomes because we won today.

"At some point it is going to affect the outcomes and that is not VARs fault."

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