Celtic Manager Martin O'Neill Blasts VAR After Controversial Defeat to Hibs
Celtic's Scottish Premiership title aspirations suffered a significant setback in a match marred by contentious officiating decisions, as Martin O'Neill directed strong criticism towards VAR official Grant Irvine following a dramatic 2-1 loss to Hibernian at Celtic Park.
Late Winner Seals Dramatic Victory for Hibs
The Glasgow side appeared shellshocked when Kai Andrews struck an 87th-minute winner for the visitors, securing Hibs' first victory at Celtic Park in sixteen years. This result leaves Celtic six points behind league leaders Hearts and two points adrift of Rangers, who were held to a 2-2 draw at Livingston earlier in the day.
Celtic had fought back to level the match after Benjamin Nygren cancelled out Felix Passlack's opener for Hibs, with the home side pressing for a winner when the game's major controversy unfolded.
Contentious Red Card and Penalty Decisions
The match's turning point arrived with sixteen minutes remaining when Celtic defender Auston Trusty was shown a straight red card for striking out at Hibs midfielder Jamie McGrath during a corner incident. Referee Matthew MacDermid was called to the pitchside monitor by VAR official Grant Irvine before making the dismissal decision.
Moments later, Celtic players appealed vehemently for a penalty when Liam Scales appeared to be pulled to the ground in the box by Jack Iredale, but on this occasion, VAR did not intervene to recommend a review.
O'Neill expressed clear frustration at what he perceived as inconsistent application of VAR protocols, stating: "I've just had a word with the referee. He said he was going to have a word with the two players, then VAR intervened and said it was violent conduct."
Manager's Criticism of Officiating Decisions
Regarding the non-award of the penalty involving Scales, O'Neill added: "The referee's words were he didn't hold on to him long enough, but it seems a wee bit strange. He's grabbing someone's shirt as he's making a move to get the ball. Some years ago, it was a penalty. But VAR, they've passed that one on."
While clearly aggrieved about the penalty incident, the Celtic manager appeared more accepting of Trusty's dismissal, acknowledging: "I've spoken to him. At the end you can't do this if that's the rules now. It doesn't matter if someone is holding on to you in an attempt to break away. You can't thrust in the manner he did to get away."
Celtic had previously lost an appeal over Trusty's dismissal at Tynecastle earlier this season, and O'Neill indicated the club is unlikely to challenge this latest red card, meaning the American defender will likely miss Sunday's crucial trip to Ibrox.
Title Challenge Suffers Significant Blow
Reflecting on his first domestic defeat of the season, the 73-year-old manager admitted: "It's tough, it's a setback. We are six points behind Hearts. Domestically, it's a tough ask for us, but we're still there fighting."
O'Neill continued: "This game was always going to be difficult. Hibs are a fine side and they were unlucky not to get anything in the derby against Hearts. You saw Livingston get a result against Rangers so the games are difficult. It's a game we could and - on the balance of play - maybe should have won. We had a lot of possession and played a lot of good stuff, but possession doesn't win it."
Hibs Boss Celebrates Historic Victory
Hibernian manager David Gray celebrated a landmark victory that cuts the gap to high-flying Motherwell to five points, with his team now enjoying a run of just one defeat in five matches.
"You have to truly believe you can do it," said Gray of his team's performance. "It took the complete performance. We had to defend and soak up pressure to do that. I was disappointed with the goal we conceded because that was avoidable but, apart from that, my goalie didn't have many big saves."
Gray supported the decision to dismiss Trusty, stating: "I think the red, you can't do that. You can't lift your hands with that aggression. That's violent conduct and a clear and obvious red. Jamie has an issue with his shoulder and almost put his out, so it shows how hard he's hit him."
Regarding the penalty claim involving Scales, the Hibs manager added: "The penalty, I've seen it from one angle. There was a coming together. He goes down. If it gets given on the field, it probably doesn't get overturned. It went with us on the day. They'd probably gone against us previously."
The controversial decisions and resulting defeat represent a significant blow to Celtic's title ambitions, while providing Hibs with renewed confidence as they push for European qualification in the season's final stages.
