VAR dominated the headlines on Saturday afternoon as Celtic edged Hearts in a 4-3 win at Tynecastle in one of the most bizarre, entertaining Scottish Premiership games in history.
What started out as a sloppy game with missed chances from Hearts duo Barrie McKay and Robert Snodgrass finally saw James Forrest get the wheels in motion as he capitalised on a fortunate deflection via Orestis Kiomourtzoglou, heading home from five yards to give the away side the lead. Despite Anthony Ralston's effort being ruled out for a foul in the build-up, the game seemed to be petering to a draw at half-time before VAR descended like an eagle to its prey just before the interval.
Cammy Devlin was caught by Cameron Carter-Vickers, with the American knowing he had given a penalty away before Nick Walsh went to the screen. Despite the issues with technology that followed, Lawrence Shankland dusted himself down to settle the scores at the break. Of course, that could've been different with Celtic feeling aggrieved that they weren't awarded a spot kick of their own when Michael Smith handled, though that was waved away. Ange Postecoglou couldn't believe it.
If the last few moments in the second half were anything to go by, then fans were in for a ride in the second-half; and they weren't disappointed. Shankland opened the scoring just two minutes after the interval after great work from Josh Ginnelly, before Giorgos Giakoumakis cancelled his effort out. Daizen Maeda then turned the game on its head with a well-taken strike just four minutes later; though VAR wasn't done there, ending Celtic's joy and giving Shankland the chance to equalise further - after a retaken penalty for encroachment was ruled out despite being tucked away by Josh Ginnelly. And, with time ticking, Greg Taylor - the most unlikeliest of sources - was the man of the moment, sliding in for the game's seventh, Celtic's fourth and his first ever goal in a green and white shirt.
All of that excitement in 15 minutes of second-half action had people across the country scrambling for reaction - there is so much to unpack from this clash the opening weekend of VAR action. Record Sport talks you through three main talking points from the Gorgie-based clash.
Excitement in Edinburgh
This is a game to rival the time Motherwell clawed their way back from 6-2 down to draw 6-6 with Hibs back in 2010. This game had almost everything; VAR obviously bore the brunt of the excitement, but penalty shouts, penalty shouts being given, even penalties being retaken - the drama was non-stop.
Even the first-half was enticing. Had you emerged from a nap and not seen the game, you'd have been forgiven for thinking it was a boring 1-1 going into the break. But that was far from the truth; from the frantic pace that Hearts burst out of the blocks with, to three VAR calls, superb goalkeeping and two goals to boot, that in itself would have been enough.
The blistering nature of that 16-minute mesmerising period in the second half was nothing short of captivating. Sprinkle events such as Aaron Mooy's miss, Robert Snodgrass' chance, the antics on the touchline with Postecoglou and Neilson often in disbelief at VAR and fans going through the motions - there won't be many games such as today's for quite some time.
VA-Farce
Of course, this was always going to happen. But after all the talk of teething problems, 'trusting the process' and giving VAR time, you do begin to wonder after just two televised games, fans will become restless. The first instance was Celtic's disallowed second; an Anthony Ralston header that some claimed wasn't offside - but a quick VAR review showed that Giorgos Giakoumakis had committed a foul in the build-up. A nice, easy start for the officials.
But real disgruntlement came when Hearts were awarded their spot-kick on the stroke of half-time. From the first replay it was obvious that Cameron Carter-Vickers had fouled Cameron Devlin, if it wasn't already clear from a real time perspective. But VAR stole the limelight once again. There was almost two minutes from going to the screen to Shankland's goal, and that's without the initial decision being pondered over for way, way too long regardless. If this is to be a sticking point throughout, then fans are seriously going to rue their initial excitement over the introduction of VAR. Tynecastle was growing restless, Celtic fans were left yawning - until moments later when the tides turned.
Michael Smith's reaction said it all. The defender had guilty written all over his face when the ball struck his lower tricep; but with the decision just moments earlier taking far, far too long, it was almost unconceivable for Nick Walsh not to at least glance at the screen. Ange Postecoglou laughed, clapped and aired his bewilderment in a show of disbelief and confusion. There were evidently mixed emotions for the Australian after aired before the game that he wasn't keen on the introduction of the new technology. Today's showing will have done little to endear the affable boss to its continuation.
Sloppy first half
Who knows what was wrong with either side in the first-half today, but there were so many misplaced passes across the pitch that this clash became slightly bemusing to watch in the first interval. Obviously, the weather conditions didn't help at all with rain pouring down in the capital, but the lack of quality on show really added extra fuel to the fire that the Scottish Premiership is lacking in quality.
The lack of guile became apparent spell in the 11th minute where possession must have changed hands at least five times within 30 seconds under no pressure at all. Bernabei just before then almost gave the away side another with his poor pass - the Argentine hadn't really struggled, though you feel that Greg Taylor's inclusion would have seen perhaps a tad more confidence and concise quality.
Robert Snodgrass then could've capitalised on a poor throw-in by Bernabei just minutes later; a pinball on the edge of the box saw the former Scotland international go through on goal, though Joe Hart thwarted his efforts. Even Forrest's goal could have been prevented. True, it was neat play by Hatate, Mooy and Ralston to work an opening for the cross, but the latter's low switch looped up from the leg of Kio to gift the away side an easy goal. Again, 30 seconds after Hearts had gone up the other end
And to top if off, an Anthony Ralston backpass was angled way, way wide of Joe Hart's goal and somehow, his pass from right-back trickled out for a corner on the left-hand side of the pitch. Not a spectacle for the ages in Gorgie as the heavens opened up.
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