3 major Celtic vs Aberdeen VAR decisions assessed as Dermot Gallagher issues Ref Watch verdict
The former Premier League referee has cast his expert eye over the main talking points from Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Celtic Park
Dermot Gallagher believes referee Nick Walsh and his fellow match officials got all three VAR calls correct during Saturday’s 2-2 draw between Celtic and Aberdeen at Parkhead.
The eagerly-anticipated top of the table showdown made for compelling viewing as the Dons recovered from two goals down to earn a share of the spoils in Glasgow’s east end as both sides kept their unbeaten Premiership starts intact. Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi had the home side in control at the break but second half strikes from Ester Sokler and Graeme Shinnie ensured Jimmy Thelin’s men kept pace with the Hoops at the summit.
And there were three major flashpoints in the closing stage for Walsh and his colleagues at Clydesdale House to review that have since been analysed closely on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch segment.
Here, the former Premier League whistler's delivers his verdict on the THREE big talking points.
Duk's disallowed goal
With the scoreline locked at 2-2, Aberdeen had a second half goal ruled out by VAR after Slobodan Rubezic’s header deflected in off Duk’s hand.
Gallagher stated: “This is where VAR works well because without doubt, when I saw this, I thought it was a goal. Then you see it clearly comes off his arm into the net directly. That's key, because it's not deliberate, but it goes directly into the net off his arm.”
Idah’s disallowed goal
Jamie McGrath’s attempted clearance cannoned of Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn up into the air. The ball dropped for Adam Idah to nod home, but referee Nick Walsh awarded a free-kick to the visitors after goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov was impeded on the goalline by Alistair Johnston.
Gallagher commented: “It's the right decision. Alistair Johnston backs into the goalkeeper. If you watch the full back as Idah goes to head the ball, he backs into the goalkeeper and knocks him, so it's the correct decision.”
Duk's late goalline block
Canadian full-back Johnston thought he had netted a late winner for Celtic but was denied by a sensational goalline block from Duk.
Gallagher said: “It hits him in the chest. It hits him in the midriff. It's a great block and you can see why he's celebrating. I think this was the last minute. He throws himself at it but he doesn't handle it. It's checked by the VAR and cleared.”