Brown admits Celtic might have to curtail celebrations as they get used to VAR

Posted Thursday, February 20, 2020 by PA

Scott Brown admits VAR could momentarily curtail Celtic celebrations should the Hoops score against FC Copenhagen on Thursday night.

The video assistant referee will be in use for the first leg of the last-32 clash at the Parken Stadium.

The implementation of VAR in English football has brought widespread criticism, although Russian referee Sergey Karasev will use the pitchside monitor as opposed to external referees making decision elsewhere which has been a source of the complaints.

Brown, speaking at the Parken Stadium, said: “It will be something different for us.

“We know not to get too carried away if we do score and after that hopefully we get the correct decision.

“But it is in the competition now and we have to get used to it because it will probably come to Scotland eventually as well so I think all the lads need to get used to it.

“We had it in a friendly at the start of the season and it is one of those ones that you just deal with it and get on with it.

“If the referee needs to go and see the television he needs to go and see the television and if there is a decision to be made there is a decision to be made and we just need to get on with it.

“I think all technology going forward is good for the game.

“There are always some teething problems but eventually they are going to make sure it is a lot quicker and makes the flow smoother. I am sure they will get it sorted in a couple of years.”

FC Copenhagen boss Stale Solbakken highlighted several reasons why Celtic are in better shape than his side but insists they still have a chance to triumph.

The Danish side returned from their winter break to lose 1-0 on Friday to struggling Esbjerg.

Neil Lennon’s side are in top form, having won nine out of nine in all competitions since returning from the winter break and since losing to Rangers at the end of the year. They lead their Old Firm rivals by 10 points at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership having played a game more.

Solbakken, who was in his first spell as Copenhagen boss when they beat Celtic 3-1 in the 2006/07 Champions League group stage, after losing 1-0 in Glasgow, said: “It is a 50-50 tie here.

“If you see Celtic’s last nine games and how they have coped with the loss against Rangers in the league, they have had a tremendous comeback.

“Their stability has been good. They have had very few changes in the line-up from game to game, they have played 3-5-2 with great success.

“They have found a different rhythm from us, we have played friendlies and had a very weak second half of the opening game of the year.

“But in one game here, anything can happen as we have shown so many times. If one good thing can happen for us tomorrow and we carry a good result and performance into the second game then obviously anything can happen.

“There is not that big a difference between the teams and I will be disappointed if we don’t have our moments tomorrow, create something, be good on the ball and dominate for periods.