BRENDAN RODGERS will demand hard evidence from the SFA to prove that VAR got it right to wipe out Daizen Maeda’s late equaliser in the 2-0 loss against Hibs at Easter Road yesterday.
The fuming Celtic boss reckoned technical assistant Alan Muir had made the decision on the back of guesswork, as CQN reported yesterday.
It was a game-changer that cost the champions at least a point – there were 15 minutes still to play, including stoppage-time – while also inflicting only their second league defeat of the season.
CALM BEFORE THE STORM…Brendan Rodgers arrives at Easter Road.
Maeda had thrown the Parkhead side a lifeline in the 68th minute with his 23rd goal of a prolific campaign to haul them back into the contest after some remarkably sloppy play had allowed Josh Campbell two opportunities to tuck efforts behind an exposed Kasper Schmeichel in the first-half.
It looked as though the Bhoy racer had got Celtic on an even keel when he thumped in a rebound from keeper Jordan Smith at his near post following a right-wing delivery from Alistair Johnston.
Onfield official Steven McLean deemed the goal good, as did his standside assistant David Roome, but VAR intervened and, after a delay, the goal was chalked off with Muir insisting the ball had crossed the byline before the delivery from the Canadian.
Rodgers said: “Obviously, I am disappointed with the goal that was disallowed as our momentum was high in that point of the game.
MAKING A POINT…Brendan Rodgers talks to match officials after the 2-1 loss to Hibs.
“I’m hoping to see conclusive evidence that the ball was out. The linesman, on this side, he had his flag up quite a lot – but, for the goal, he clearly had one of the best views in the ground and he kept his flag down, which tells me that he felt it was in.
“If it’s the case, then you’ve got to go and review it with VAR, but you’re taking an angle from the 18-yard line. If you’re taking the angle from the 18-yard line, and you can tell me that you can absolutely say 100 per cent [the ball it was out], you’re having a guess.
“These are big games to be guessing in, especially at this point in the season. So, we were disappointed with that and that’s what killed our momentum a little bit.
“I felt it was harsh on the team.”
Rodgers, speaking to the MailOnline, continued: “The linesman was in a great position, so it was disappointing to have the official overruled in that moment.
MAKE-YOUR-MIND-UP-TIME…is the ball in or out as Alistair Johnston prepares to send over his cross?
“We were in a great moment. We get to two-each and we’ve still got enough time to go and find a winner.”
The Hoops gaffer spoke to referee McLean afterwards, but little light was shed on the flashpoint incident.
Rodgers added: “He just said afterwards that it was a VAR decision, that it was factually out, which will be interesting from the 18-yard line, if you don’t have the actual images.
“I don’t want to be overly critical until someone produces an actual piece of evidence that tells us the ball was conclusively out.”
