DAILY RECORD 🔵 ‘Scandalous’ Julian Araujo Celtic red card escape sparks Hotline implosion on VAR and officials
Anthony Evans takes your calls as punters as VAR once again took centre stage over the weekend
Julian Araujo was booked for his lunge on Will Ferry(Image: )
Martin O’Neill began his third spell as Celtic manager with a resounding 4-0 victory over Dundee United on Saturday in one of their finest performances of an otherwise tumultuous campaign.
But much of the discussion from the game has centred around a rash challenge made by January signing Julian Araujo on Terrors number 11 Will Ferry. The Bournemouth loanee was given a yellow card by referee Nick Walsh for the tackle and the VAR team of Andrew Dallas and Gavin Duncan back at Clydesdale House opted not to intervene and recommend that it be upgraded to a red card.
Their decision not to step in was slammed by former top flights officials Des Roache and Steve Conroy, while Tangerines boss Jim Goodwin admitted he was surprised that the technology did not get involved. And it’s fair to say callers on the Hotline are also far from pleased. Neil McTaggart said: « A scandalous tackle and a guaranteed red card for anyone else that doesn’t play in green and white. No surprise Nick Walsh is involved. »
A seething Willie Mercer, Dumfries, added: « How many times can Walsh and his VAR cronie Dallas fail in their duty to apply fairly the rules of the game before some form of sanction is taken against them? If there was ever a tackle that deserved a straight red applied by the match official, never mind based on an off field review by VAR, then Araujo’s on Ferry was that tackle.
« Walsh issuing a yellow was a disgrace in itself but for Dallas on VAR not to get involved and advise on an upgrade to a red card, was outrageous and a dereliction if his duty. Refereeing standards will never improve, while they self police their own performances, which only ever results in a belated apology, never any sanction for the offending referee. What is needed is an independent body set up to scrutinise and monitor performances, with consequences for those who continually fall below the standards expected, as Walsh has done many times. »
Despite Saturday’s impressive win, O’Neill admits that the club need to get the finger out and make some signings in the January window if they want to retain their Premiership crown. And Denis Bruce fears that the interim manager could even WALK AWAY before the end of the season if he doesn’t get the backing he requires to bulk up the squad. He called in to say: « The Celtic board should be ashamed. It’s parsimony over transfer spending has left the manager with his hands tied with regard to bringing in the players he needs for a title challenge.
« No one could now blame Maeda or McGregor for leaving during this window under those circumstances. Maybe even O’Neil should consider walking away. Who among the Celtic support would not be wishing Auchinleck Talbot the best of luck in the upcoming Scottish cup tie? The whole Celtic board must surely go now that this season is a complete write -off. »
But fans were in agreement over the immediate impact the Irishman has made since stepping back into the breach in the wake of Wilfried Nancy’s disastrous tenure. Stephen Mulhern, wrote: « Martin O’Neill even this early has brought the feel good factor back with a convincing performance on Saturday. I was somewhat disappointed though that Kyogo (Furuhashi) decided on not resurrecting his career back at Celtic when remaining at unfashionable Birmingham who are hardly Bayern Munch, I was delighted though to see the much maligned (Liam) Scales reinstated, it was no coincidence that we kept a clean sheet with him alongside (Auston) Rrusty once again. »
Richard Wharton, Carlisle, stated: « What a difference a proper manager makes! Good defensive line up. Players in their correct positions and they knew what they were doing. And Gerard Kelly added: « Hope Nancy was watching as that’s how to play football! »
Aberdeen are continuing their search for a new manager, with Record Sport revealing that ex Hamburg gaffer Markus Gisdol is keen on the post. But Joey Vimsante, Aberdeen, reckons one former Pittodrie captain is more than equipped for the role. He said: « I think Scott Brown should be the next Aberdeen manager.
« He understands Scottish football. He is a natural leader. As a player he won as many trophies, as virtually anyone, and captained Scotland, and Celtic. Plus he played for Aberdeen. And he has some good experience as a manager with Ayr United and Fleetwood Town. It would be good for Aberdeen to pick a young Scottish manager, who has a strong personality, and knows how to win trophies, from his time at the most dominant Celtic team in Scottish football history. »