Nine Celtic vs Rangers referee and VAR decisions in focus including 'huge' red card decision
Here were some of the biggest refereeing and VAR talking points from the game at Parkhead.
Rangers got the better of Celtic again as they succeeded 1-0 at Parkhead in the Premiership.
Hoops pressure is mounting after losing in a Premier Sports Cup quarter-final at Ibrox last week, defeated by Ferencvaros midweek on Europa League business, after Ryan Naderi’s strike proved enough on Sunday. Celtic offered little in response as Rangers moved within two points of them and key refereeing decisions were made in the game.
John Beaton was the man in the middle for this one and he had Nick Walsh - who was the match official last week - operating VAR. Here are nine of the biggest calls made in the game.
Emmanuel Fernandez yellow card
Just four minutes into the game and Emmanuel Fernandez was already walking a tightrope. Camilo Duran was allowed in behind with the Ibrox defender forced to haul the attacker said. Celtic hero Chris Sutton said on Sky Sports’ co-commentary 'I think yellow is right, otherwise if he was more central, he could have been in a bit more bother there.’
Derek McInnes and Mark Fotheringham yellow cards
Then a yellow to Rangers manager Derek McInnes and Celtic coach Mark Fotheringham. Both were up in the face of the fourth official with the Rangers boss looking particularly riled and counterpart Martin O'Neill was also on the scene to try and calm things down. The pair have history after Fotheringham apologised to McInnes last season for an incident during a Hearts vs Celtic clash at Tynecastle. Not even six minutes on the clock and this one was off to the races.
Auston Trusty offside goal
A Benjamin Nygren ball into the box was dangerous but Liam Scales went too early. It was a 'sensational' finish by defender Auston Trusty as per Sutton but it was quite clearly the correct call. VAR agreed with the initial offside call and play was moving on swiftly.
Emmanuel Fernandez no foul on Benjamin Nygren
The Rangers defender was navigating a fine line during a chaotic start to the game and he bundled Swedish midfielder Benjamin Nygren over not long after picking up his first booking. Former Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield claimed on Sky commentary alongside Sutton that the defender 'looked rattled' and it was a 'huge call' by Beaton not to brandish the second yellow. He didn't feel Fernandez got any contact with the ball.
Kim Min-su yellow card
The second half, after the game calmed down a little, saw Scales go down after a challenge from behind by Rangers playmaker Kim Min-su. No malice but stopped the Irishman progressing and a simple booking for Beaton to deliver.
Callum McGregor yellow card
The first booking of the day in terms of playing staff for Celtic was for the skipper’s challenge on Rangers captain Dan Neil. Callum McGregor ‘leaves one on him’ according to Arfield as the experienced midfielder came through the back of the former Sunderland star.
Olwethu Makhanya disallowed goal
It was a goal worthy to win any game but VAR ruled this out. Olwethu Makhanya’s effort crashed into the top corner but it did strike his arm in the build-up to a possible second Rangers goal. VAR didn’t take long with this.
Sebastian Tounekti yellow card
The aftermath of the goal saw the recently-subbed on winger booked for what was claimed on commentary as protests over the handball - that was eventually taken away. Hindsight would say pretty harsh given it was cut out.
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