VAR Farce – Greg Aitken’s incredible denial of Reo Hatate penalty check

The Celtic Star

·12 January 2025

VAR Farce – Greg Aitken’s incredible denial of Reo Hatate penalty check

‘That’s why we’re Champions!’ is a well used Celtic chant. Yesterday afternoon Celtic overcame a tricky trip to a freezing Dingwall with a convincing 4-1 victory to go 18 points clear…

With vital players ruled out, and temperatures plummeting well below zero resulting in a heavy playing surface, this was the proverbial banana skin.

Kyogo opens the scoring against Ross County in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

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Any fears quickly evaporated when we headed in at the interval one goal to the good after a dominant first half thanks to a nicely taken Kyogo goal. Although we should have at least had a two goal lead to show for our dominance, with a combination of good goalkeeping and bad finishing thwarting us from finishing the game as a contest.

Celtic penalty shout for a foul on Hatate. Ross County player pulls Hatate back a he’s in on goal and legs get tangled. No penalty awarded.
– Saturday, 11 January 2025

Greg Aitken on VAR astonishingly rejected the Celtic penalty claim when Reo Hatate was pushed and tripped. We’ll await Willie Collum’s confession on that one.

“Such an easy decision too. Did the defender foul Hatate? Yes – by dragging him back then tripping him. Did the foul prevent Hatate getting a shot off? Yes. Foul puts Hatate off balance so loses possession. Was there an advantage by letting play go? No. Penalty all day long.” This from a Celtic supporter doing Greg Aitken’s job for him.

Alistair Johnston concedes the penalty. Ross County v Celtic in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

We were made to pay for failing to capitalise on our superiority when County equalised from the penalty spot just on the hour mark, and suddenly we were back level with it all to do once again. If that was a penalty then how could Hatate’s not be one?

Reo Hatate brought down in the box. Ross County v Celtic in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Just when it looked like it wasn’t going to be our day, that man Kyogo popped up again by scoring a fine header assisted by a terrific Arne Engels cross to fire us back into the lead with just 10 minutes of normal time remaining.

Kyogo scores to make it 2-1. Ross County v Celtic in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Arne Engels made sure of the points after scoring from the spot at the second attempt minutes later, and Luke McCowan put more shine on the victory by grabbing a fourth just before the final whistle.

Arne Engels celebrates.Ross County v Celtic in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

On a day it could have all went wrong, we exerted our authority despite suffering a set back in tricky conditions to earn a valuable three points as we close in on yet another title. “That’s why we’re Champions”…

Luke McCowan. Ross County v Celtic in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Ross County v Celtic in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

READ THIS…Sandman’s Definitive Ratings – Celtic v Ice Station Zebra

Ross County v Celtic in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

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VAR Farce – Greg Aitken’s incredible denial of Reo Hatate penalty check | OneFootball