How VAR eliminated Celtic, but the championship fight continues

VAR ended Celtic’s match yesterday. He intervened twice in instances that allowed room for referee interpretation after winning a soft-ish penalty kick that VAR John Beaton was unable to overturn (since the verdict was technically right in every way). As a result, he not only decided the game’s conclusion but also whose team is currently atop the league table.

While struggling against Motherwell a week ago, clear comparable incidents to yesterday’s penalty and red card against Celtic were overlooked.  Yang’s red card was the most egregious of the decisions and ultimately led to everything that followed at Tynecastle.

For unrelated reasons, Celtic remain within touching distance of the top of the table.  Newco’s impressive record of only having lost to Celtic since September crashed at home to Motherwell. The two-point gap at the top of the table will not determine who wins the league as much as which team plays better in the remaining fixtures.  On that point, there is reason to be hopeful.

Yesterday’s 2-0 defeat was completely different than when Hearts won by the same result in December.  Celtic’s passing, movement and purpose was significantly better at Tynecastle.  We still struggle to know what our best 11 is.

Without injured Callum McGregor, there was still no place for Kyogo, who started on the bench.  After coming on at halftime, our Japanese fulcrum put in one of his better performances of the season, playing in a deeper role, behind Adam Idah.  In a side without Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor, there should have been a place for Kyogo

Look back at the players faces after fulltime at Fir Park, the smiles and camaraderie, which had been missing, was clear to see.  Teambuilding took a further step forward on Wednesday and I am sure yesterday’s shenanigans will further build a siege mentality into the squad.

A friend recalled the 1979, 1986 and 2008 league wins this week.  Celtic looked unlikely to win around this time of the year in both those seasons, but they clicked at the right moment, leading to wins some of us still talk about.  It’s on.