Andy Walker Tells the “Much Bigger” Story After Rodgers’ SFA Hearing

Andy Walker Tells the “Much Bigger” Story After Rodgers’ SFA Hearing

Andy Walker has redirected focus to what he views as the core issue in the recent controversy involving Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers—a dispute that extends beyond Rodgers’ one-game touchline ban and touches on the broader implementation and impact of VAR in Scottish football.

3rd March 2024; Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Hearts versus Celtic; Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers

Rodgers, who criticised the officiating and the use of VAR following Celtic’s match against Hearts, described the decisions as “incompetent” and lamented the overreach of VAR in re-refereeing the game.

Walker stresses that the narrative surrounding Rodgers’ comments and subsequent ban has overshadowed a crucial conversation about the role and effectiveness of VAR within the league.

The technology, intended to assist referees in making more accurate decisions, is under scrutiny for its intrusive application, often intervening without clear and obvious errors by the on-field officials.

Walker expressed his perspective on Go Radio, stating, “This whole one or two game ban, it’s a non-story. There’s a much bigger picture about VAR and the use of VAR. Celtic, it would have been great if they’d come out and said they were going to have a meeting with all the clubs, and the SFA, and the head of referees, and try to make things better.

“If you remember recently, all the clubs were concerned about the handballs. It seemed to work really well for a month or six weeks, and then we’ve gone back and simplified it. And we’ve gone back to the madness. That, in my view, is the much bigger story.”

What happened in the SFA meeting today will probably never be disclosed, but going by Celtic’s earlier statement, the club went in prepared with plenty of evidence to back their stance