A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away a football league has brought in technology to remove controversy in the game. But in Scotland we are stuck with VAR Wars after another weekend with flashpoints that rumble right through the week.
Old Firm fans are right in the thick of it with both sets of supporters pointing the finger across the city. Henry Moffat, Stirling , said: “No surprise to see the usual suspects on the Hotline trying to deflect attention from the latest VAR Rangers scandal. Both calls at Celtic Park were tight but correct, whereas the laughable lines drawn to give Rangers a clear offside goal even had Kris Boyd and Sky saying something isn’t right. How long can this farce go on?
Tam Williamson, Lanarkshire , said: “It's strange that ex-ref Steve Conroy is not bumping his gums and demanding that Todd Cantwell should now be red carded and miss the cup semi against Celtic after feigning injury against Motherwell in order to get an opponent sent off? The silence is deafening.”
One of the Hotline’s frequent flyers copped it with James Brown, Glasgow, saying: “If the Hotline had an award for the biggest Hotline Moaner, whinging, greeting face and biased caller, surely that Joker fae Yoker, Chris Lowe would win it hands down?” James Fitzpatrick emailed: “I see the Joker from Yoker is bumping his gums about Celtic and referees again but fails to mention his mob have had more VAR decisions go their way than all the rest of the league put together.”
Meanwhile Kenny Wilson, Moffat , said: “Celtic made it very hard work against Hibs but you have to win when not at your best - that’s what champions do. But all the talk as usual will be about the refs and VAR. Celtic for once got the benefit of two decisions. Personally, I didn’t think it was a red card and the penalty, well, sometimes they’re given and sometimes not. As for the offsides at Fir Park Stephen Hawking couldn’t make sense of the lines there.”
John Kearney emailed: “Hibs boss Lee Johnston might have thought the referee was a disgrace but it was disgraceful the Hibs bench throwing a dead ball onto the pitch to waste time and David Marshall’s pitiful antics at goal kicks time and again. Why are these not highlighted?”
Elsewhere, Arrin Geddes, Irvine , said: “James Tavernier’s admission that his team has ‘more to give’ implies they’ve been cheating their fans by not giving their all. They are on the second best run since their formation and still can’t dent Celtic’s lead, even with mysterious VAR lines!”
But Alan McGaw, Alloa , said: “Once again another good victory away from home for Rangers. Brilliant to see Todd Cantwell score as he was my MOTM. Now it’s a fortnight's break to prepare for an important month in April.”
Liel Abada’s Celtic future is up for discussion and Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton , said: “It’s obvious that Celtic now have even more strength in attacking options with the sensational starts Sead Haksabanovic and Oh Hyeon-gyu have made. If it is his intention to leave Postecoglou will surely use him more sparingly in our quest for the Treble.”
One caller hit back amid a row over Scottish Cup semi tickets. Alan Flett , via email, said: “In response to the caller who took issue with my calling Falkirk/Inverness fans glory hunters. The point I was making was, that whenever small clubs take part in big games, thousands of so-called fans suddenly appear from nowhere.”
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