Celtic Fans Will Raise an Eyebrow at Derek McInnes Claim After Aberdeen VAR Controversy

Derek McInnes finally found something to enjoy on Sunday. Celtic fans who watched events unfold at Pittodrie may be entitled to wonder exactly what had him quite so enthused.

The Ibrox club secured their first Premiership victory of the season with a 1-0 win over Aberdeen, Lawrence Shankland converting a second-half penalty.

Afterwards, the Derek McInnes claim that caught the eye was revealing.

“Probably for the first time this season, I’ve really enjoyed watching the team,” he said.

McInnes went further, describing it as a “strong performance” and a “deserved win”.

That is certainly one interpretation.

Derek McInnes claim meets a very different Aberdeen story

Nobody should pretend the visitors did nothing to deserve victory.

They had 56 per cent possession and five shots on target compared with Aberdeen’s two. There were signs of improvement after an extremely difficult opening to the campaign.

But this was hardly a performance that should have the rest of Scottish football trembling.

Sporting Life’s match statistics recorded Aberdeen creating four big chances compared with just one for the visitors.

More significantly, Stephen Robinson was left furious by two pivotal VAR incidents.

With Aberdeen trailing, Kevin Nisbet went down following contact with Dujon Sterling. No penalty was awarded.

Then Nisbet appeared to equalise late in the game, only for VAR to intervene and the goal to be disallowed for a push on Sterling.

Robinson highlighted the apparent contradiction without explicitly attacking the officials.

“There wasn’t enough for Kevin to get a penalty and there was enough to disallow the goal,” he said.

His next comment was perhaps even more telling.

“VAR’s played an integral role today.”

Derek McInnes claim should interest Celtic fans

McInnes is perfectly entitled to enjoy winning.

After European elimination and a winless start to the Premiership campaign, three points were desperately required.

But perspective matters.

A penalty separated the teams. Aberdeen created opportunities. A contentious late equaliser disappeared following VAR intervention.

That makes the post-match celebration of the performance rather more interesting.

Celtic should take nothing for granted this season. Martin O’Neill will demand far more from his own players as the challenges continue.

However, anyone suggesting this represented some dramatic transformation at the Ibrox club may want to hold the coronation.

They won the game.

Whether there was quite as much to “really enjoy” as McInnes suggested is another question entirely.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Derek McInnes said he “really enjoyed” watching his side for the first time this season.

• Lawrence Shankland’s penalty delivered a 1-0 victory at Pittodrie.

• Aberdeen recorded four big chances compared with one for the visitors.

• Stephen Robinson questioned the consistency of two crucial VAR decisions involving Kevin Nisbet.

• Celtic supporters may see improvement across the city, but very little reason to be intimidated by it.