Scottish FA head of refereeing Willie Collum has delivered his monthly assessment of key VAR decisions, confirming that Celtic's controversial late penalty at Motherwell was correctly awarded, while Hearts were unfairly denied a spot-kick in a match that could have swung the Scottish Premiership title race. The candid review, released via official channels, addressed six flashpoints across recent fixtures, offering rare clarity on the decision-making process that has often frustrated clubs and fans alike.
At Fir Park on May 13, Celtic were awarded an added-time penalty after Sam Nicholson was judged to have handled the ball. Replays showed the defender's arm raised above shoulder height as he attempted to block a cross, a position Collum described as "unnatural." He emphasized that officials have been consistent in punishing handballs when the arm is above the shoulder line, stating there was "clear evidence" to support the call. Kelechi Iheanacho converted the spot-kick to secure a 3-2 victory, a result that kept Celtic's title charge on track.
However, it was Hearts' visit to the same venue just days earlier that drew Collum's most striking criticism. On May 9, Alexandros Kyziridis was tripped by Tawanda Maswanhise inside the box, but referee Steven McLean waved away appeals. Even after being advised to review the incident on the pitchside monitor, McLean stuck with his original decision, telling VAR officials: "I've not seen enough." Collum disagreed sharply, asserting that the expected and preferred outcome was a penalty. "My personal opinion is that that's a penalty kick," he said, acknowledging that there is some debate within refereeing circles and that the matter will be discussed in pre-season. The 1-1 draw ultimately cost Hearts two points in a season where they finished just two points behind champions Celtic, with a slightly superior goal difference. The fallout from that decision was immediate, with Hearts manager voicing frustration, and the title race decided by such fine margins only intensifies the scrutiny on officiating standards.
Collum also praised McLean for a correct on-field call earlier in the same match, when Hearts claimed handball against Emmanuel Longelo. The ball struck the defender near the shoulder, and Collum noted that the "t-shirt line" principle was correctly applied—contact above that line is not punishable. This balance of validating and criticizing decisions underscored the complexity of officiating at the highest level.
Turning to the Old Firm derby on May 10, Collum backed referee Nick Walsh's handling of two contentious moments. Celtic's equalizing goal by Yang Hyun-jun survived an offside check after it was determined that Benjamin Nygren, who was in an offside position, did not interfere with play or obstruct goalkeeper Jack Butland's line of sight. Additionally, Alistair Johnston's tackle on Mikey Moore was deemed reckless but not excessively forceful, justifying only a yellow card. Collum stated that the challenge lacked the criteria for a red card, such as endangering an opponent's safety.
The SFA chief also reviewed Celtic's 2-1 win at Hibernian on May 3, where he identified a missed penalty for the visitors. Josh Campbell's two-handed push on Nygren was "far removed from normal footballing contact" and too excessive to ignore, yet no spot-kick was given. Conversely, Hibs' equalizer by Joe Newell was correctly allowed after a thorough VAR check found no conclusive evidence that the ball touched a punishable part of his arm.
These admissions highlight the fine margins that defined the Premiership season. While Collum's transparency is welcomed, the acknowledgment of errors—particularly the one against Hearts—will sting for the Tynecastle side, who missed out on the title by the slimmest of margins. The Scottish FA's willingness to publicly dissect decisions is a step toward accountability, but it also raises questions about the effectiveness of the review system when clear penalties are still missed. The review serves as both a learning tool for officials and a reminder of the human element that continues to shape outcomes even in an era of technological assistance. As Collum prepares to address these issues with referees ahead of the new campaign, the hope is that greater consistency will reduce such costly mistakes.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.
