VAR a refreshing change when in comes to European football

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The Celtic Star

·29 November 2024

VAR a refreshing change when in comes to European football

VAR a refreshing change when in comes to European football…

Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and Club Brugge KV at Celtic Park on November 27, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

VAR is a very much maligned technology which has received its fair share of criticism since it was first implemented a few seasons ago, and most of it has been perfectly valid.

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Jury is still well and truly out

It’s come on a bit since its introduction to the game, but in terms of Scottish football, the jury is still well and truly out.

That was most noticeable for me in our game with Club Brugge on Wednesday night. There were a few decisions that needed VAR to step in, but those decisions were settled correctly in a matter of seconds. No one complained, and the supporters weren’t left bemused as the officials did their job correctly and efficiently.

Celtic v Club Brugge – UEFA Champions League – League Stage – Celtic Park. Ferran Jutgla and Auston Trusty during the UEFA Champions League, match at Celtic Park on Wednesday November 27, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

If that had been a domestic game we would have been waiting several minutes on our bumbling officials to come to a conclusion, which not only delays the game, but adds on many added minutes at time up which is just as frustrating.

Perhaps the reason is very simple

If these officials can clear up such matters so quickly and effectively, why can’t our own officials do the same?

Perhaps the reason is very simple. Our officials are seriously incompetent, on and off the park. There’s a reason why they don’t get picked for major international tournaments, and the efficiency and quality of their European counterparts shows just why that is.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy