Scottish football’s VAR drama delivered another explosive moment on March 4, 2026, as Celtic secured a dramatic 2-1 victory away to Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
The decisive moment came when Benjamin Nygren fired home from close range late in the match to seal three vital points for the champions. However, while Celtic celebrated the win, the real controversy began after the final whistle.
During a heated discussion on talkSPORT, former Rangers striker and pundit Ally McCoist strongly criticized the decision to allow the goal to stand. McCoist insisted that Nygren looked clearly offside when the ball was played, claiming the Celtic forward was “half a yard” beyond the last defender.
The goal was reviewed by VAR official Chris Graham, who used the offside technology lines during the check. According to the VAR graphic, Nygren’s shoulder was just behind the Aberdeen defensive line. The marginal positioning of Aberdeen defender Gavin Molloy’s foot appeared to play a key role in the final decision.
Despite the review, McCoist remained unconvinced and launched into a passionate rant during the broadcast.
He even joked that fans should check whether comedian Marty Feldman was operating the VAR system. Feldman was famously known for his distinctive bulging eyes, with McCoist using the reference as a sarcastic way to suggest the officials must have missed something obvious.
The initial television angles made the moment look extremely tight, which only fueled the debate further. Aberdeen manager Peter Leven also voiced his frustration after the match and questioned why the broadcast replay only appeared to show a single offside line during the graphic.
Nevertheless, the official decision remained unchanged. VAR confirmed the goal as onside, meaning Celtic held onto their lead and secured all three points.
Unsurprisingly, the incident quickly sparked intense debate across social media. Many Celtic supporters dismissed the criticism, claiming it was another example of Rangers voices trying to create pressure on referees ahead of upcoming fixtures.
On the other hand, Rangers fans and several neutral observers argued that the decision once again raised questions about the consistency of VAR decisions in Scottish football.
For Aberdeen fans, the controversy added further frustration after what many believed was a strong performance that deserved at least a draw.
Moments like this continue to highlight how VAR remains one of the most talked about issues in the Scottish Premiership. The technology was introduced to reduce disputes, but tight decisions like this often seem to create even more debate.
Love him or disagree with him, McCoist’s passionate reaction certainly made for entertaining radio. His comments, especially the Marty Feldman reference, quickly caught the attention of fans and may well become another memorable moment in the ongoing VAR discussion.
The big question now remains. Was Nygren clearly onside, or was it simply a decision too close to call?