Michael Stewart Stunned By Decision That Went Against Celtic Tonight

Pundit Michael Stewart was surprised that Daizen Maeda’s first-half strike against St. Johnstone tonight was disallowed.

The electric Japanese wide-man looked to have broken the deadlock early on, only until VAR intervened and disallowed his fine finish.

The Hoops were awarded a free-kick on the right wing in the early stages of the match. The ball fell for Maeda, who swept home on the volley.

Not long after the ball found the back of the net, though, Don Robertson was called over to the pitchside VAR monitor to review an incident involving Auston Trusty.

Indeed, the centre-half was adjudged to have ‘fouled’ an opponent in the lead-up to the goal.

Upon further inspection, it was clearly a simple collision between the two players, yet Maeda’s goal was ruled out.

This surprised Premier Sports’ Stewart, who reckons the Bhoys should have led earlier than what they did.

“Trusty’s making a run round the back, it’s a real sore one but that is not a free kick for me,” he said (premierSports.com).

“It’s a collision, a coming together but it’s two players that are just running in separate directions. For me that’s the wrong decision.

“Personally, I don’t see how you can penalise Trusty there.”

The contentious decision wasn’t decisive in the end, yet it heightens questions about the comPetency of Scottish officials.

Although the SFA are now more transparent about wrong refereeing and VAR calls, it counts for nothing if they are continually inconsistent.

Robertson and Co. can count themselves lucky that Celtic were terrific tonight because, on another day, they would be under vast scrutiny for an incorrect decision.