'This Is A Red Card Offence' - Keith Hackett rages after re-analysing Celtic v Kilmarnock footage

Keith Hackett has admitted he hopes that Martin Atkinson’s skillset will help improve the overall VAR performance in Scotland following a new controversy in the Celtic match against Kilmarnock.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett admitted the referee “should have been encouraged to go and see the monitor” during Celtic’s 2-0 win against Kilmarnock on Sunday (10 November) with Reo Hatate then being shown a red card.

There was controversy when Hatate’s late tackle was only met with a yellow card, despite the fact his studs were up as he caught his opponent without getting the ball.

The referee opted to award a yellow card and there was no review of the incident from VAR, which caused significant question marks over whether or not the system is being used correctly.

Atkinson will become the new Scottish FA’s VAR manager in December, which will potentially open up some changes in how things are done.

Atkinson takes plenty of Premier League experience with him north of the border, and that is set to come with some pressure to help alleviate the accusations that the ‘big two’ are favoured over other teams in the Scottish Premiership.

Martin Atkinson will be under pressure to improve VAR in Scotland

Hackett told Football Insider, “It’s a red card.

“I cannot understand why, even with VAR operating, they didn’t see this as serious foul play.

“The player has come in from a yard, yard and a half, his boot is high and he’s not made any attempt to withdraw it.

“He’s clattered the player and this is serious foul play.

“I understand the referee being close up on it and that created a degree of problem, but it should have been reviewed by VAR and he should have had a red card, I’ve no doubt this is a red card offence.

“I look at each individual incident and this player should have gone, he didn’t and it’s a clear error.

“In recent days, we’ve seen the announcement that Martin Atkinson, a long-standing Premier League referee, will now become the VAR manager in Scotland.

“Let’s hope he can add his skillset to improving the VAR performance.

“The VAR should have come in on this one, and the referee should have been encouraged to go and see the monitor.”

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The post 'This Is A Red Card Offence' - Keith Hackett rages after re-analysing Celtic v Kilmarnock footage appeared first on Football Insider.