Scottish FA Head of Referees, Willie Collum, has recently addressed a controversial moment in the match between Celtic and St Mirren, where Celtic defender Alistair Johnston appeared to escape conceding a penalty. The incident in question occurred during Celtic’s 5-2 victory over St Mirren in Paisley, with St Mirren’s Roland Idowu being brought down in the box by Johnston while Celtic held a narrow 3-2 lead. Despite calls for a penalty from St Mirren and their fans, referee Matthew MacDermid decided against awarding the spot-kick. Even after a VAR review by official Andrew Dallas, the decision stood, sparking heated debates and protests from the home side.
Collum weighed in on the situation, stating, “This should have been a penalty. I believe there is a distinction between touching the ball and playing the ball. The touch made by Johnston was minimal and did not constitute playing the ball; it was reckless contact.” The controversial non-penalty call overshadowed Celtic’s eventual comfortable victory at the SMISA Stadium and has once again put the spotlight on refereeing standards and the implementation of VAR in Scottish football.
As Celtic extended their lead and secured the win, the debate surrounding the incident continued to gain traction within the football community. Many fans and pundits have expressed their opinions on the matter, with some calling for improvements in the officiating process to ensure fair and consistent decision-making on the field. The clash between Celtic and St Mirren has reignited the ongoing discussion around the role of VAR in Scottish football and the impact it has on the game’s integrity.
