Celtic penalty vs Rangers gets ultimate Ref Watch verdict as Scottish officials maintain consistent theme
Rangers vs Celtic penalty and VAR drama has spawned from the Premiership clash.
The Ref Watch panel have agreed on why Celtic were awarded a penalty versus Rangers.
Controversy has arisen after the 2-2 Old Firm draw through Reo Hatate’s Hoops leveller, which came off a rebound from a penalty kick, earned when Daizen Maeda’s close range header hit Light Blues defender Dujon Sterling on the arm. Ibrox head coach Danny Rohl wasn’t best pleased with the call as VAR intervened to rule a penalty was due.
It leaves the Ibrox side six points off Premiership leaders Hearts while Celtic are eight back in third with a game in hand. Ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has taken to Sky Sports’ Ref Watch show to back the call, as Scottish officials have been giving those types of handballs all season.
Ref Watch on Rangers vs Celtic penalty
Gallagher said: “Absolutely consistent with what they've done all season. I saw one replay. I thought the goalkeeper saved it first of all, when I saw the replay, I saw one replay and I went this is going to be a penalty because you ask for consistency. They are 100% consistent on handball application in Scotland.
“No doubt about it. Every time that happens, the referee always points to the spot or if the referee doesn't see it, the VAR alerts him like he did here. Always a penalty. I was watching a game live and I thought what a save by the goalkeeper and I saw one replay, I just went, oh it's going to be a penalty.
“Because the one thing you can say about them, they are totally consistent. Any arm outstretched, the ball strikes it, no matter how close it is, they always point to the spot or the VAR says you need to go and have a look. It's always a penalty.”
Former player on Rangers vs Celtic penalty incident
Former Cardiff City and Wolves striker Jay Bothroyd was on the panel and said: “I mean, yeah, you can't really disagree with it. The consistency in the Premiership has made that so everyone knows there's no grey area at all. The only thing I would say on that is when you're in that situation, and you know it's one of them crosses where the keeper's there, you think he's going to come out.
“The forward's there, he's going to come and attack the ball and then the defender's trying to get anything on it to block it. You don't know where your arms are going to be. It's not a reaction. People might say, oh why is his hand there though? But his hands are there because he's trying to protect himself and block the shot at the same time. So it's just one of them situations but the consistency makes it the right decision.
“I mean, if the game could get to a point where there's no grey area, then it becomes easy for officials to referee. I think at the moment, the reason why we have this show is because there's a lot of debate and consistency issues. But on that, in the Premiership, you can't argue with anything. It hits your arm and it’s a penalty. It's as simple as that.”