FORMER Celtic goal hero Chris Sutton hopes VAR does not turn Celtic’s visit to Ibrox on Monday afternoon into a shambles.
The champions have been on the receiving end of some incomprehensible decisions with the aid of new technology since they first encountered the system in the 4-3 win over Hearts at Tynecastle on October 22.
There was chaos and confusion in the capital with Nick Walsh the man in charge of the whistle and Steven McLean in the studio.
MAKE MINE A DOUBLE…Liel Abada is about to be congratulated by Matt O’Riley after netting one of his two strikes in the 4-0 derby win in September.
Sutton warns that controversial and continual screen calls and interminable delays cannot be allowed to provide the main talking points in the aftermath of the first match of 2023.
VAR will be utilised for the first time in the Glasgow derby with John Beaton the man in the middle and Willie Collum in charge of technology.
Thankfully, the Hoops’ 4-0 win at Parkhead in September passed without too much incident with the game over as a contest after a double from Liel Abada and a spectacular solo strike from Filipe Jota had the hosts three goals ahead by the interval.
David Turnbull, banned from the Ibrox encounter after a nonsensical VAR-induced red card in stoppage-time of the 4-1 win over St Johnstone a week ago, rolled in the fourth to bring the curtain down on a fine performance.
PARADISE…Filipe Jota is acclaimed by the Celtic fans after netting in the first-half of the four-goal romp against the Ibrox side in September.
Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “Ibrox should be a magnificent occasion.
“I just worry about what is going to happen and whether the game is going to descend into a farce. Beaton has to be strong and must make the right calls at the correct time.
“And Collum in the VAR bunker should only get involved if it’s necessary or there’s a serious injustice.
“The Old Firm is a showcase fixture. We can’t let it turn into a shambles.”
