Eight Rangers vs Celtic referee and VAR decisions in focus: Ibrox rammy, disallowed goal and star risking red

Rangers are through to the last four of the Premier Sports Cup after a commanding 3-0 quarter-final win against Old Firm rivals Celtic.

The Light Blues got ahead in a dominant start through Dan Neil and he found the winner after half-time. Kevin Kelsy sandwiched in a goal between those efforts on an excellent day for Rangers who now face Aberdeen for a place in the final. Hearts and Hibs contest the other semi-final as last season’s runners-up Celtic crash out on a miserable afternoon for them.

Nick Walsh was the referee tasked with handling this pressure cooker clash with Andrew Dallas on VAR and Steven McLean assisting him. Here’s eight of the key Rangers vs Celtic referee and VAR decisions.

Benjamin Nygren yellow card

Benjamin Nygren and Kelsy both went to ground but the latter came out worse. Walsh instantly went to his pocket and booked Celtic’s Nygren and that baffled Charlie Mulgrew on Premier Sports co-commentary. He said: "That's not a card that, is it? It's two players sliding for the ball. Doesn't need to bring the yellow out does he? It's not a yellow card, surely."

Colby Donovan yellow card

Rangers’ Djeidi Gassama burst past Colby Donovan with ease and the Celtic full-back forced to clip him. As easy a decision Walsh had all day and the full-back had zero complaints. Left him on a tightrope for the remainder of his time on the pitch.

Olwethu Makhanya yellow card

Hasseim Hassan came off the bench and immediately made an impact as he tore up the left-hand-side of the Rangers defence. South African defender forced to bring him down and drew the first Light Blues booking of the afternoon.

Kevin Kelsy goal - offside check at second goal

The forward fired home from close range at the near post before the hour mark but faced a nervous wait to see if VAR would allow it to stand. Ryan Naderi’s positioning in the build-up to his effort was being checked by Dallas and co for offside as booing and whistling started to come down. Eventually it stood though as the striker narrowly stood in front of the line.

Second Colby Donovan foul on Djeidi Gassama

Nico Raskin ‘asked the question’ of Walsh according to Premier Sports commentator Rory Hamilton over Donovan, after he brought down Gassama again, as he threatened a Rangers attack. It was risky stuff from the right-back and Alan Hutton said on co-comms: “He has to be careful. It’s difficult as a full-back when you have been carded and you are under pressure. Gassama wants to take him on and it’s something O’Neill has to be careful with.

Emmanuel Fernandez goal ruled out

From the resulting James Penrice free kick into the box, defender Emmanuel Fernandez headed home, but it was cut out on the pitch for offside. VAR would have checked this but it was moved on from pretty swiftly with Nico Raskin clearly straying offside and he was deemed to have interfered with play.

James Penrice and Hasseim Hassan yellow cards

An Old Firm isn’t the same without a rammy. Dujon Sterling brought Hassan down but Penrice charged in and booted the ball off the Celtic attacker. Albeit it looked accidental, all sides were soon involved, even Rangers keeper Ivor Pandur. Both men were cautioned for their part in the scuffle after tempers were calmed.

The Scottish Football Social Club is presented by BetSBK.com | 18+ | Gamble Responsibly