Why Kilmarnock Goal Wasn’t Disallowed: Schmeichel and Other Players Has This to Say About Celtic and Kilmarnock Controversial Event….

Celtic Edge Kilmarnock in Scottish Cup Thriller, but VAR Controversy Takes Center Stage

Celtic progressed to the next round of the Scottish Cup with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on Saturday night. However, the match was marred by controversy surrounding a disputed equalizer by the visitors, which sparked heated debates and furious protests from Celtic’s players and coaching staff.

The Hoops dominated the match from the outset, with captain Callum McGregor opening the scoring with a stunning strike from outside the area. McGregor’s goal set the tone for what should have been a comfortable evening for Celtic, but their failure to convert chances allowed Kilmarnock to stay in the game.

Against the run of play, Kilmarnock equalized through a goal that sparked significant drama. In the lead-up to the goal, the ball appeared to strike a Kilmarnock player’s arm before being bundled into the net. Celtic’s goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel, was incensed by the decision, and his protests were echoed by the Celtic defense.

The VAR system intervened, leading to a lengthy check. Despite Schmeichel’s protests and the visible frustration of the Celtic defense, the officials deemed the arm to be in a “natural position” under the updated handball rules, and the goal stood.

At half-time, the debate over the decision was raging among supporters, but Celtic’s response on the pitch in the second half was decisive. Daizen Maeda, a constant thorn in Kilmarnock’s side, popped up with a well-taken winner. Maeda’s relentless pressing and clever movement caused problems for Kilmarnock all night, and his goal was no less than he deserved.

Despite Celtic controlling much of the game, their lack of a clinical edge kept the tie in the balance. Schmeichel’s frustrations with the VAR decision spilled over at full-time, with a video circulating online showing the Danish keeper, usually calm and collected, still remonstrating with the referee and linesman as they left the pitch.

Kasper Schmeichel usually epitomizes the idiom “cool, calm & collected” but he was visibly upset as he remonstrated with ref Nick Walsh after the Scottish Cup tie between Celtic & Kilmarnock, before being ushered away by Brendan. Heartening to see this display of passion, though (link unavailable) — The Fast Lovin’ Sin-Soaked Heathen (@fast_sin) January 18, 2025

Celtic will take heart from the win but will know they need to be more clinical in the latter stages of the competition. The Hoops’ progression to the next round is a testament to their resilience and determination, but they will be aware that they cannot afford to be as profligate in front of goal if they are to succeed in the tournament.

As the Scottish Cup continues to unfold, Celtic will be looking to build on this victory and make a deep run in the competition. With their squad depth and quality, they will be confident of overcoming any challenges that come their way. However, they will also be aware that the Scottish Cup is a notoriously unpredictable tournament, and they will need to be at their best to succeed.

In the end, Celtic’s victory over Kilmarnock was a hard-fought one, but it was also a testament to their character and determination. As they look to the next round of the Scottish Cup, they will be hoping to build on this victory and make a lasting impact on the tournament.