By JOHN MCGARRY

Published: 20:56, 22 February 2026 | Updated: 20:58, 22 February 2026

Martin O’Neill blasted VAR Grant Irvine as ten-man Celtic’s title hopes were dealt a hammer blow in controversial circumstances.

The Parkhead side were shellshocked after Kai Andrews’ 87th-minute goal secured a 2-1 win for Hibs in Glasgow.

It left Celtic six points behind Premiership leaders Hearts and two adrift of Rangers, who were held 2-2 at Livingston.

Celtic had pulled level after Benjamin Nygren cancelled out Felix Passlack’s opener, and were pressing for a winner when Auston Trusty was sent off for striking out at Jamie McGrath at a corner with 16 minutes remaining. 

Referee Matthew MacDermid was called to the monitor by Irvine on that occasion but wasn’t urged to take a second look moments later when Liam Scales was pulled to the ground in the box by Jack Iredale.

Clearly angered by what he saw as a lack of consistency, O’Neill said: ‘I’ve just had a word with the referee. He said he was going to have a word with the two players (Trusty and...