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Nygren’s VAR-Checked Winner Lifts Celtic to Second, Five Points Off Hearts

Prominent voices questioned the process after officials judged a tight offside call in Celtic’s favor.

Overview

  • Celtic beat Aberdeen 2-1 at Pittodrie as substitute Benjamin Nygren scored in the 67th minute for his 19th goal of the season.
  • The winning strike stood after a prolonged VAR review that showed Gavin Molloy’s toe keeping Nygren onside, with only one offside line displayed.
  • Aberdeen interim manager Peter Leven asked why a second line was not drawn, and Ally McCoist publicly argued the goal looked offside despite the replay ruling.
  • The victory moved Celtic above Rangers into second place, narrowing the gap to leaders Hearts to five points with roughly nine league matches remaining.
  • Manager Martin O’Neill praised the impact of substitutes and said rookie Benjamin Arthur ‘did fine’ in an unexpected start after Dane Murray’s warm-up injury, while data shows Nygren’s 15 league goals include five winners and have been worth 11 points.