The Dons head coach was not happy with the SFA call as the champions secured a big win at Pittodrie

22:50, 04 Mar 2026Updated 23:27, 04 Mar 2026

Aberdeen 1 Celtic 2 – Best of the Scottish Premiership action

Peter Leven has hit out at VAR as Celtic snatched a win at Aberdeen to keep their title hopes alive.

The caretaker boss urged his players to focus on retaining their Scottish Cup after their top six hopes were killed off by the champions.

The Dons lost 2-1 at home to the Hoops, a result which condemns them to the bottom half.

The cup holders now face Dunfermline in the quarter-finals at East End Park and are desperate to defending their trophy.

But on the winning goal decision, he claimed: “It looks offside but why’s there not two lines drawn?

“There was only one drawn. But listen, right now it’s not going for us, these decisions in the game.

Nygren scored the winner

“Players need to be a bit more streetwise. Lyall needs to ask the question late on when Hatate goes in. I thought the players worked really hard today. We started the second-half really well, but listen, it’s just not going for us.

“They worked really hard, but it’s zero points which is frustrating because I thought they put in a good shift tonight. They are a quality team, Celtic, but I’m proud of the players tonight.”

The interim boss said: “It’s the next game, a huge game at the weekend.

“We want to retain the title.

“The boys will rest and recover and will go again in the later part of the week.”

Benjamin Nygren netted the winner and Leven questioned why VAR didn’t draw a second line.

Leven felt Lyall Cameron was too honest and never went down for a late penalty.

“I think Lyall was too honest and stayed in his feet,” his manager added.

“Shinnie had a hand in the back and could’ve gone down. I think they need to be more streetwise. We need to start picking up points.

Sandro Schwarz is in the house

“I thought second-half we started really well and kept pressure on Celtic but we need to sustain that.

“I think you saw tonight the quality we have. We just need a longer period of time in games to control the game and create more chances.”

Aberdeen managerial candidate Sandro Schwarz was in the stands.

Leven added: “I don’t know anything about that.”