Teething problems and a toothless board could come back and bite Celtic

A reticence to speak about officials has been a distinct feature of Ange Postecoglou’s post-match in his time at Celtic.

Until now.

It’s clear that he isn’t a fan of VAR per se.

He definitely has a point about the impact of this technology.

It undoubtedly causes delays, and the immediate joy of celebrating a goal by your guys is put on hold while the VAR official studies all the angles.

As regular readers will know, I have not focused on the technology but on the personnel.

I did not have to alter my worldview when I learned the identity of the VAR official who considered Alexandro Bernabei to have committed a handball offence in the penalty box.

I have looked at that incident many times now.

I studied the instantaneous reaction of the Dundee United players in and around the six-yard box.

When the ball comes off the young Argentinian’s upper arm, there is not a single claim from the attacking players.

The header is blocked, the ball is still in play, and the match goes on, and that appears to be fine with the referee David Dickinson.

Apparently, the chap at the VAR screens had other ideas.

Once more, it is a matter of public record that Mr Nick Walsh has a day job at Boclair Academy.

During the week, he is in daily contact with Ibrox starlets

You could characterise him as Sevco’s PE teacher.

He was, of course, the referee at the recent match at Tynecastle involving the Hoops.

Then there was a clear handball incident, Celtic players immediately claimed for it, but no penalty was awarded to Ange’s men.

Two handball incidents involving Celtic and Mr Walsh and two very different outcomes.

Given his close association with Sevco, should he really be anywhere near a Celtic match?

Should he?

To remove the possibility of bias, you must first remove doubt.

I also prevent Mr Walsh from being placed in that awkward situation.

With Mr Walsh having any involvement with Celtic or Sevco, that doubt is ever present.

Indeed, it is highly unfair to Mr Walsh that he can become the story in this way.

Now, this is where Buffering Bankier and the Invisible CEO are both found wanting.

The mantra of “we work behind the scenes” pish might not cut it for the straight-talking Australian in the dugout.

The guy has an immigrant back story, and he is clearly highly intelligent.

I reckon that he will already have grasped the hostile cultural environment that Celtic FC have had to endure since the club was founded.

What he might not accept is the back of the bus silence from the men in the boardroom who should be supporting him.

The best time to raise this is after the team has won the match.

Consequently, the sour grapes retort falls flat.

Celtic triumphed against Dundee United because they were the better team, both individually and collectively.

However, the visitors should not have been gifted that opportunity to equalise from the spot in the first half.

At the moment, it is accepted wisdom by many in the Celtic end that Sevco will implode and Ange’s Bhoys will stroll the league.

I’m agnostic on that one.

What I DO know is that if the title race became tight and guaranteed Champions league money is at stake, these…ahem…teething problems could tip the balance.

What would Ange do then if he knew that Grey Brigade in the board room put their beloved Old Firm business model before their manager’s ambitions for his team?

As I said, better to get this out now after a victory and an increased lead in the title race than wait until later.