Boyd Sparks Outrage Claiming Celtic Were Cheated by VAR

In another flashpoint in Scottish football, former Rangers striker and Sky Sports pundit Kris Boyd has found himself at the centre of a storm, with Celtic supporters furious over what they see as a staggeringly one-sided take on a contentious VAR decision.

The controversy unfolded during Hibernian’s meeting with Celtic at Easter Road on Sunday. Just as the match hung in the balance, midfielder Joe Newell bundled in an equaliser deep into first-half stoppage time. The reaction from the Celtic bench and travelling support was immediate, with loud appeals for handball amid claims the ball had struck Newell’s arm in the build-up.

A lengthy VAR review followed, yet the on-field decision stood. Replays, particularly from certain angles, appeared to suggest contact with the arm, fuelling a sense of injustice among the visitors.

While others analysing the incident voiced uncertainty, Boyd was unmoved. In his on-air remarks, he repeatedly insisted:

“You’ve got to trust the officials.”

He conceded that from one angle “it looks like it brushes his arm,” but argued there was insufficient evidence to overturn the decision, maintaining it was not a “clear and obvious error.” Boyd added that the situation was “inconclusive,” a stance that left some of his colleagues visibly taken aback.

Unsurprisingly, the reaction online was swift and fierce. Celtic fans accused Boyd of entrenched bias, suggesting he was too quick to defend a decision they believe cost their side dearly. The debate has only sharpened given Boyd’s Rangers connections, with critics highlighting the perceived irony in his appeal for trust in officiating.

The incident arrives at a pivotal point in the title race. Despite the controversy, Celtic recovered to secure a 2-1 win, substitute Kelechi Iheanacho delivering late on. Yet the result has done little to quieten the noise.

If anything, Boyd’s comments have ensured this particular decision will linger, another chapter in Scottish football’s long-running argument over VAR, interpretation, and trust.