Celtic heroes slam Hearts red card as VAR makes huge intervention in Hoops title winning decider

CELTIC heroes have slammed the decision to send off Alex Cochrane in the Hoops duel with Hearts.

The Jambos defender was sacked just before half-time after an intervention by VAR.

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Hearts started strong, forcing errors from the hoops, and it remained 0-0 late into the first half.

But a run-in by Maeda forced Cochrane to commit a foul and received a yellow card.

After a lengthy consultation with VAR official Willie Collum, referee Nick Walsh was told to go to the VAR monitor.

He returned to the field and picked up the yellow card, waving a red instead.

It reduced Hearts to 10 men while Celtic looked for the first goal.

But some Celtic heroes have now postponed the decision, saying a yellow card would suffice.

During Sky’s half-time coverage of the game, Stiliyan Petrov said Maeda was not in a scoring position, while Chris Sutton tweeted: “That’s not a red card… Willie Collum in the VAR booth absolutely blew it…”

Andy Walker is co-commentator and said the red card was “tough”.

He added: “I think that’s a terrible use of VAR. I think the game was that good. The game has now been ruined.

“If that had stayed with a yellow card, nobody would have complained. You just get the feeling that if the referee can send a player off, he will do it.

“I think the bar for a red card is so low. It really brings you together. But I’m not sure if he obviously shoots away.”

VAR has been on everyone’s lips since its introduction to Scottish football before the turn of the year.

It was previously planned to affect the game and how long it would take officials to make decisions.

Hearts now face a second 45-minute win against Celtic with a man down to secure third place in the league.

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