The way Willie Collum resisted giving in to VAR pressure during Motherwell’s match against Celtic this weekend was positively received.
The Hoops believed they ought to have benefited from Well defender Calum Butcher’s dismissal for a foul committed well outside the area on substitute Adam Idah. After giving the player a booking and awarding a free-kick, the referee was called to the video screen to consider turning the play into a red for preventing a goal.
Collum took a peek, but opted to follow his gut and simply wave the yellow. Dermot Gallagher, the whistler for Sky Sports’ “Ref Watch,” also doffed his cap.
“He has gone to the screen, VAR looks at quickly, thinks it’s a red card, or recommends he has a look for a potential red card,” he explained.
“Willie Collum backs himself and says no. Give him credit where credit is due and don’t waver—we don’t see it very often.”
