Credit: Imago

Keith Hackett

Wed 9 April 2025 17:10, UK

Alan Muir is out of a job as a result of high-profile errors in Rangers and Celtic matches in recent months.

The Scottish Sun first reported on Tuesday (8 April) that Willie Collum, the Head of Referee Operations at the SFA, had taken the brutal decision to axe Muir as a VAR official.

Muir made a howler in December’s Scottish League Cup final between Rangers and Celtic as he failed to award the Gers a penalty in extra time, before they went on to lose on spot-kicks.

Rangers were somehow denied a penalty for a foul on Vaclav Cerny inside the opposition box, leading to widespread criticism of Muir.

The 49-year-old more recently made an incorrect call that saw a Celtic goal wrongly disallowed against Hibernian in February.

Muir could take action against SFA

Muir will hold his hands up over the errors, but the question now is whether he will appeal the decision.

In the view of former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, it is likely Muir will take the matter further.

“There is a strong chance that Alan Muir will seek legal advice and claim for wrongful dismissal,” Hackett said.

“Willie Collum in a tribunal would have to present substantial documents on the performance of Alan Muir compared to other VAR operators.

“The question now is whether the Scottish FA applied all employment processes and procedures in law.

“Did they issue him a verbal warning and a written warning, etc, before his dismissal? Watch this space.”

Rangers still reeling from Scottish League Cup final loss

Four months may have passed since the defeat to Celtic at Hampden Park, but it remains fresh in the memories of all Rangers fans.

Indeed, had the penalty been awarded and converted by James Tavernier, Rangers likely would have won the final and history would have been completely different.

This matter is clearly far from over. As Hackett says it is very much a case of “watch this space”.