Scott Allan believes his former Hibs teammate Joe Newell was well aware he “got away with one” after scoring against Celtic.
VAR dominated the headlines following Martin O’Neill’s side securing a vital three points in the Scottish Premiership title race.
Jamie McGrath initially received a booking from referee David Dickinson, but that decision was upgraded to a red card after Don Robertson and the VAR team instructed the official to review the incident on the pitchside monitor.
Daizen Maeda then fired the visitors ahead after an offside flag from linesman Douglas Ross was overturned following a review by the officials based at Clydesdale House.
After Newell brought Hibs level, Celtic players immediately appealed for handball. However, once VAR examined the incident, the goal was allowed to stand in controversial fashion.
The SFA later issued an explanation for the decision, stating there was “insufficient evidence of a handball to overturn the on-field decision.”
But Allan, who spent three years alongside Newell at Easter Road, offered a different view when speaking to BBC Sportscene.
“I will go with my opinion and my opinion only – it does come off his arm, and that therefore, for me, means the goal should be disallowed.
“The VAR have came to the conclusion that they can’t be conclusive with it and change the on-field decision for it to be a goal.
“For me, it’s handball and Joe Newell got away with one there.”
Asked whether his former teammate looked “sheepish” while celebrating the VAR decision, Allan responded with a smile.
“He has that look sometimes though, Joe, to be fair.
“I think, he is is the captain, he comes in for his first start in a while and manages to get his goal – but I did think he had that wee glimmer in his eye where he knew he had just got away with one.”