Collum explains hoops Celtic go through to get goal given at Ibrox

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The Celtic Star

·1 June 2025

Collum explains hoops Celtic go through to get goal given at Ibrox

SFA’s head of refereeing Willie Collum gave his verdict on Adam Idah’s equaliser at Ibrox last month which was initially ruled out for offside…

Adam Idah celebrates scoring at Ibrox to level the score at 1-1. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The Irish forward believed he had made it 1-1 in the second half, but his celebrations were cut short by the linesman’s raised flag. However, following a VAR review, the decision was on-field decision was overturned allowing Brendan Rodgers’ side to draw level.

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Adam Idah celebrates scoring at Ibrox to level the score at 1-1. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Daizen Maeda was wrongly flagged for offside

The initial decision flagged Daizen Maeda offside for his run behind theRangers defence, and the Japanese winger later faced further scrutiny to determine whether he had impeded Liam Kelly’s line of sight whilst in an offside position.

However, the officials at Clydesdale House found no wrongdoing, and the goal was quite rightfully, allowed to stand.

“It’s the correct decision for us in the end,” Willie Collum

“It’s the correct decision for us in the end,” said Collum on the latest edition of the SFA’s VAR Review show aired on YouTube.

“The first offside is what the assistant referee is punishing. He believes that the Celtic player who is out wide is in an offside position. That is not the case. There’s a correct delay [of the flag]to allow the move to come to a natural conclusion.”

Adam Idah celebrates. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“A goal is then scored. Then they award the initial offside out wide. The VAR quickly checks that and come to the conclusion it’s onside. I want to mention again we would prefer these decisions are correct on field, but VAR is there for that reason.”

Collum added: “Then there is good on-field comms from the referee because he mentions that there is a potential second offside. I think it’s theRangers goalkeeper who also claims for that. The VAR are then allowed the opportunity to check that.”

“You can see they come to a conclusion, correctly, that there is no impact in any line of vision. This is a factual overturn, and there is no need for the referee to come to the monitor here. We’re really pleased with that.”

Conor Spence

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