After observing the impact of VAR on Celtic, former top referee Hugh Dallas made an interesting observation – it wasn’t the decisions that were affected, but rather the team’s style of play. The introduction of video technology in Scottish football in October 2021 caused a shift in Celtic’s gameplay, disrupting their rhythm and forcing them to adapt. Dallas noted that the fast-paced attacking style of Ange Postecoglou’s team, known as Angeball, was interrupted by the delays caused by VAR decisions.
As the first Premiership game with VAR, Hibs’ match against St Johnstone spurred discussions within the football community. Celtic’s historic game against Hearts at Tynecastle, the first live TV Scottish football match featuring VAR, further highlighted the challenges posed by the technology. Dallas highlighted how the Hoops were pushed to alter their approach during the Postecoglou era due to the impact of VAR.
Dundee boss Tony Docherty also shared his frustrations with the time-consuming nature of VAR decisions, echoing the sentiments of Dallas. Their concerns were exemplified by a key moment in Celtic’s match against Rangers, where VAR checks exacerbated delay and confusion. Despite understanding the grievances from both sides, Dallas explained that officials were merely adhering to protocol in conducting thorough checks before making decisions.
