Concerns raised over VAR usage during Rangers vs Celtic as offside goal lines questioned amid 'trust' factor
Concerns over how VAR was used in Rangers vs Celtic on Sunday has been shared.
Michael Stewart admits the offside lines didn’t sit right with him during Rangers vs Celtic - despite probably reaching the right conclusion.
The Hoops progressed out of their Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox 4-2 on penalties, setting up a last four meeting with St Mirren, following a 0-0 draw over 120 minutes. Stewart was on punditry duties for Premier Sports and did raise an eyebrow at Daizen Maeda being disallowed an opener for Celtic in the first half.
Liam Scales was judged to have been in an offside position as he flicked the ball on to the forward who nodded home. VAR jumped in and drew the lines, with Scales judged to have strayed offiside, but it was a tight call. While the former Hearts and Hibs midfielder feels he likely was off, how the lines were drawn up didn’t sit right with him.
Michael Stewart on VAR use during Rangers vs Celtic
When asked if it looked right, Stewart said on the broadcaster’s Social Club: “No, I think I said it in the studio, when you look at a monitor that is 10-15 feet away and it’s not like a phone that you can zoom in on, it’s difficult. You just look at it, and it’s all about trust.
“You’ve got to trust the lines are in the right place, but my gut is, I think Scales is offside, but Djiga, who is the deepest Rangers defender, the line is not drawn on him. His left shoulder, for me, appeared to be the deepest part of a Rangers defender. I think he would still be offside, but those lines just don’t look right.”
Having previously labelled him a ‘bombscare’ this season, Stewart has praised Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez after a recent uptick in form. He also had a goal disallowed in the game as the ball struck his arm as the defender looked to pounce on a set-piece.
What Rangers player has impressed Michael Stewart?
Stewart said: Do you know a Rangers player that I'll hold my hands up and say I was too quick to call? And it's not Youssef Chermiti... Fernandez. By the way, he was good. I thought he was an absolute bombscare when he first came, and he still looks like he's got a mistake in him. But I tell you what, he's improving."
Ex Rangers defender Alan Hutton added: "See, when you thought he was a bombscare, I think it's the way he plays the game. He looks as if he's lax and lazy and he's going to get caught on the ball. I think that's just his nature. But I think he's growing in stature as a player, absolutely."
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