SPFL Premiership manager left ‘baffled’ that Celtic v Rangers row VAR didn’t see ‘clear dive’

JIM GOODWIN says he’s baffled that ref David Dickinson and VAR man Alan Muir didn’t spot a “clear dive” from Toyosi Olusanya. The St Mirren striker went down inside the box during injury time to win a penalty which was awarded on the pitch in real time and backed up by the video check. GettyJim Goodwin is furious at the decision to give a penalty against his side[/caption] BBC SPORTSCENEKevin Holt stuck his leg out as Toyosi Olusanya approached[/caption] BBC SPORTSCENEThe striker went down as Holt pleaded innocence[/caption] SNSReferee David Dickinson pointed to the spot[/caption] VAR Alan Muir didn’t recommend a reviewKenny Ramsay Goodwin has now watched the incident back several times from other angles and can’t believe Dickinson wasn’t asked to review the incident himself. Muir was at the centre of controversy last month when he failed to award a penalty against Celtic for Liam Scales’ tug on Vaclav Cerny in the Premier Sports Cup final. Dundee United won Saturday’s game anyway when Jack Walton saved the spot kick – and their manager reckons that moment saved the ref’s blushes. He said: “The angle our analyst had wasn’t as clear-cut as the angle I saw later on Sportscene, and I just can’t understand why the referee wasn’t called over to review that. “It’s a clear dive, for me. Kevin Holt pulls his leg back and he goes over half-a-second later. “I’m so pleased that the final outcome of the game wasn’t swung on that type of decision. “St Mirren had plenty of chances during the game and could have scored a legitimate goal, but a poor decision in the VAR room could have cost us. “Because the referee wasn’t given the instruction to come and view the incident at the monitor, I thought the decision must have been obvious. “I assumed Kevin must have tripped him up. “But it was simulation, as far as I’m concerned, and I’m relieved justice prevailed in the end with Jack making a good save. “The referee has to be called to the monitor to make such a big call, not the guy in the VAR room. “It was plain to see what happened on the replay and everyone I’ve spoken to has been baffled that a penalty was awarded. “We need to do a lot better in those situations, as a country, because that could have been very costly; a massive two points dropped. “Not much has been made of it because we won the game but, had that cost us points, we would have been very upset.” Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

Jan 14, 2025 - 11:00
 0  2
SPFL Premiership manager left ‘baffled’ that Celtic v Rangers row VAR didn’t see ‘clear dive’

JIM GOODWIN says he’s baffled that ref David Dickinson and VAR man Alan Muir didn’t spot a “clear dive” from Toyosi Olusanya.

The St Mirren striker went down inside the box during injury time to win a penalty which was awarded on the pitch in real time and backed up by the video check.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin at a soccer match.
Getty
Jim Goodwin is furious at the decision to give a penalty against his side[/caption]
Soccer game in progress; score 0-1.
BBC SPORTSCENE
Kevin Holt stuck his leg out as Toyosi Olusanya approached[/caption]
Soccer player tackling another player on the field.
BBC SPORTSCENE
The striker went down as Holt pleaded innocence[/caption]
Referee awarding a penalty during a soccer match.
SNS
Referee David Dickinson pointed to the spot[/caption]
Soccer referee signaling on the field.
VAR Alan Muir didn’t recommend a review
Kenny Ramsay

Goodwin has now watched the incident back several times from other angles and can’t believe Dickinson wasn’t asked to review the incident himself.

Muir was at the centre of controversy last month when he failed to award a penalty against Celtic for Liam Scales’ tug on Vaclav Cerny in the Premier Sports Cup final.

Dundee United won Saturday’s game anyway when Jack Walton saved the spot kick – and their manager reckons that moment saved the ref’s blushes.

He said: “The angle our analyst had wasn’t as clear-cut as the angle I saw later on Sportscene, and I just can’t understand why the referee wasn’t called over to review that.

“It’s a clear dive, for me. Kevin Holt pulls his leg back and he goes over half-a-second later.

“I’m so pleased that the final outcome of the game wasn’t swung on that type of decision.

“St Mirren had plenty of chances during the game and could have scored a legitimate goal, but a poor decision in the VAR room could have cost us.

“Because the referee wasn’t given the instruction to come and view the incident at the monitor, I thought the decision must have been obvious.

“I assumed Kevin must have tripped him up.

“But it was simulation, as far as I’m concerned, and I’m relieved justice prevailed in the end with Jack making a good save.

“The referee has to be called to the monitor to make such a big call, not the guy in the VAR room.

“It was plain to see what happened on the replay and everyone I’ve spoken to has been baffled that a penalty was awarded.

“We need to do a lot better in those situations, as a country, because that could have been very costly; a massive two points dropped.

“Not much has been made of it because we won the game but, had that cost us points, we would have been very upset.”

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page