Celtic's flawless start to the Scottish Premiership season has been accompanied by fresh debate over VAR decisions and rival claims. The Daily Record's Hotline featured strong opinions after Celtic's recent win over St Mirren, where two goals were disallowed by the video review system.
Celtic sit first in the Premiership with 15 points from five wins, scoring 13 goals and conceding just three. They hold a three-point lead over Heart of Midlothian. This strong form comes despite a growing injury list that includes Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand, Kasper Høgh, Kieran Tierney, and Jota.
What sparked the latest VAR debate?
The conversation ignited following Celtic's 1-0 victory at St Mirren. Stephen Mulhern from Dumbarton praised Liam Scales' headed winner and the work of set-piece coach Ross Grant. However, the match also saw Celtic have two goals chalked off after VAR checks, reigniting criticism of the technology in Scotland, often dubbed a 'Poundland version'.
Callers to the Hotline offered contrasting views on the system's impact. Iain Morrison from Livingston and Martin Roberts from Clydebank both claimed that most VAR calls last season went Celtic's way. This perspective was fiercely contested by other supporters.
How did Celtic fans respond to the claims?
Henry Moffat from Stirling delivered a strong counter-argument. "Every decision has gone their way this season; they are the most pandered to club in British football, while decisions against Celtic have been a disgrace," Moffat said. This sentiment framed Rangers as receiving favourable treatment, a point of contention among the fanbase.
The historical context of the rivalry was also debated. Alan Flett suggested Celtic had missed chances to pull away from their rivals since 2012. Paul Price from Glasgow directly challenged this view. "Ooh, Alan Flett, you brighten up the Celtic supporters' mornings on the Hotline." Price asked, referencing Celtic's domestic dominance over that period.
What is the wider context for Celtic and their rivals?
While Celtic maintain their perfect record, their next challenge is an away match against Aberdeen on December 19th. Fans can view the full schedule on the club's fixtures page. Aberdeen, currently 10th, have their own concerns, with a worried fan named Hugh McKirdy emailing about past hierarchy decisions involving managers Jimmy Calderwood and Derek McInnes.
Rangers face an immediate issue with Lawrence Shankland's hamstring injury. Robert Livingstone from Palm Beach discussed the selection dilemma for Derek McInnes, with potential replacements including Ryan Naderi, Bojan Miovski, and Kevin Kelsy. Miovski, formerly Aberdeen's top scorer, has a history of scoring against Celtic.
Some fans speculated on a dramatic shift in the landscape. Gordon Ashley from Ayr suggested American owners could buy the original Rangers club out of liquidation, potentially leading to a return of the 'Old Firm' derbies in their traditional form. For now, Celtic's focus remains on maintaining their league position, which supporters can track via the standings.
Who could impact Celtic's season from the treatment room?
The return of key players from injury is a major subplot. William Hutchison from Aberdeen expressed hope that Jota's recovery could be fast-tracked to bolster Celtic's attacking options. The club's current injury situation is detailed on the official injuries page, highlighting the need for squad depth as the campaign progresses.
Celtic's next fixture is away to Aberdeen at Pittodrie on the 19th of December.
