SENTINELCELTS

Celtic and The Rangers both won, there was controversy, VAR problems, I guess you could say it was a typical weekend for Scottish football.
 
Getting to a final is becoming typical for our team, though we should never take this for granted, final appearances are hard earned, and so it proved on Saturday. It was all about the result, winning the battle on the field, and the mission was successfully executed.
 
It was no thrashing by any means, but I’ll take that type of victory in a semi everytime if necessary. Especially on that potato field, what a disgrace for a national stadium.
 
Sometimes being made to sweat out the result makes the win even sweeter, well it was for me, and grinding out results improves team morale, something which can always grow.
 
I feel two factors helped propel the famous Glasgow Celtic towards the final, Maeda and the subs.
 
Daizen has improved, he spoke highly of his coaching not long ago, got together with his countrymen recently for a prolonged spell, and has returned with a bang.
We knew he had an engine that would shame the Duracell bunny, but his finishing and first touch were lacking.
He’s clearly worked hard on those aspects of his game, and it’s reaping dividends for the team and man himself.
Pats on the back all around, and though I highly rate Hacksabanovic the man in the rich vein of form must continue to start games and terrorize defenses from the left wing.
 
After his excellent contribution the subs went and sealed the game, the final move being strung together by three men who came off the bench, Turnbull to Forrest and G-Mak, who was in the right place at the right time for a one touch finish which is no surprise considering that’s what he does.
He finishes moves, whereas Kyogo tends to be involved in the move then attacking dangerous areas.
Natural finishers are hard to come by, Scott MacDonald might have been the last one before the big Greek, so I would be deeply disappointed to lose the options he offers, but until he moves I will enjoy him.
But not always.
Within minutes of scoring he then provides a heart attack moment.
 
Which leads me to the match officials over the entire weekend.
I predicted they would behave somewhat, with the eyes of the nation focused, big meeting about them coming up, and that prediction was half correct.
 
For the disallowed Maeda goal the referee rightfully listened to upstairs, handing off responsibility. Pictures emerge which show Kyogo in an offside position coming back to receive the ball, so I can understand the final call and why it was overturned. We can’t ask for better VAR and complain when a legitimate call is made against us, just one of those things, shrug and get on with it, which we did. The whistler himself is innocent here, after all it wasn’t his call, not words I usually type in regards to Collum.
 
He again turned to VAR for the controversial penalty shout near the very end of the game, shirking responsibility which is fine. I’ll be honest and admit I’m stunned a penalty wasn’t awarded. When two players close together race for a breaking ball, legs might get tangled, thats natural and not a clear cut sign of intent to bring down your opponent.
Gripping them around the chest, propelling them forward, and tangling the legs, is a different kettle of fish.

The big lovable eejit could have cost the team on this occasion, but he gives a lot more than he costs and besides it wasn’t called.
Which is strange,,it’s handed the VAR team an easy enough decision on a silver platter, yet they turned it down?
Showing Celtic do get favourable decisions before the big confab?
Internal pressure for an ‘Old Firm Final’ to maximize income for the Hampden suits?
A bit of both in my humble opinion.
For the record I think Collum himself did a decent job on the day, he clearly likes throwing any big decision elsewhere, and if VAR is working as it should I have no complaints about that manner of refereeing.
VAR itself got pass marks given it worked the whole game, I can comprehend the rationale behind the disallowed goal, and they checked the big calls which reassures me the penalty shout wasn’t clear cut therefore not given. No complaints here.
 
If VAR is working as it should, which at Hampden isn’t a given. When placed alongside the pitch issues, it was a very poor weekend for every suit involved and an indictment of Hampdens inability to administer.
 
Video Assisted Refereeing wasn’t there when needed on Sunday having failed for a spell.
This was communicated to the three match officials who must then accept added responsibility as the only arbitraters available, and they failed in their duty, maybe not their cause.
Left to their own devices not one but two potentially game changing calls are ignored. The handball in the buildup to the goal is as relevant as Kyogos offside in chalking off a Celtic goal, and Kent’s punch.
While G-Maks in the box challenge was a call, the punch was a card, and there’s only one colour it can be.

 
Not looking at the ball, arm clearly aiming for his opponents head, it should have meant a ten on ten extra time for added spiciness but with Nick Walsh in full control it was never going to be called.
 
Given the significant role played by VAR on Saturday, I believe it’s correct to state it’s loss heavily impacted the outcome of the second semifinal, and will also impact future fixtures if the aggressor isn’t banned.
 
The necessity for technology was very clearly highlighted on Sunday. Big decisions need taken out of referees hands full stop, that’s where VAR can truly help the sport grow into something better, a cleaner game with little controversy.
 
Scottish football had one aim, two games with officialdom out of the headlines, and proved incapable of the task.
This PGB/IFAB intervention is very timely and fully necessary.
May it be the death knell for current standards. The national sport is screaming out for different leadership and a different direction, whether it knows it or not.
Mickey mouse or clean house?
It’s decision time and the weekend shenanigans should help force that decision.
Adults in the room por favor.
 
Well done Ange, well done Celtic. We live to fight another day. We got the job done.
If only others would do theirs.
 
By Mahe
sentinelcelts@gmail.com