Rangers icon blasts standard of refereeing in Scottish Premiership as 'baffling' claim made

Rangers and Celtic both won over the weekend to close the gap on Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts, but their victories were not short of refereeing controversy as officials came under fire once again.

Recent matches involving the pair have included contentious decisions – such as Dujon Sterling’s late handball against Celtic in the Old Firm – and the weekend’s fixtures saw renewed refereeing drama.

Celtic were awarded a penalty in the 72nd minute of their 3-1 victory over title challengers Motherwell at Parkhead, after a foul on Daizen Maeda which saw Emmanuel Longelo sent off. But the decision was made by VAR, after it was initially missed by the referee. Meanwhile at St Mirren, Alex Gogic was not penalised for handball in the box against Rangers despite Dundee striker Simon Murray having conceded a penalty the same weekend in a similar incident.

Former Rangers midfielder and interim manager Barry Ferguson has spoken out in criticism of the standard of refereeing in the Scottish Premiership at present.

Barry Ferguson criticises referees after title race controversy

Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, Ferguson said: “I think the standard of refereeing is well below the standard that is needed this season.

“Some of the decisions – you’re talking about the Celtic one that John Beaton doesn’t see when Maeda is pulled down for the penalty. I don’t understand why he doesn’t see it. He’s actually in a good position.

“I’m not just talking about that game. I think we could go on here for hours and hours. There are a number of games I’ve watched and some of the decisions are absolutely baffling.”

Ferguson on handball rule inconsistency

Ferguson added that where the handball rule is concerned, it is the lack of consistency which is costing referees in Scotland at present – as is the case in many divisions across Europe where VAR continues to come under scrutiny and impact how referees carry out their role.

“The handball rule is all over the place,” Ferguson said. “Listen, I’m not going from a Rangers point of view, in my opinion, that’s a penalty [when Gogic handled in the box]. I think the arm is away from his body, I’ve seen them given, I’ve seen them not given, I just don’t know what to think anymore.

“I go back to the Dujon Sterling handball [against Celtic], I don’t know what Duj can do there. Is he meant to jump with his arms by his side? That for me is unnatural.”

Former Celtic star Charlie Mulgrew added: “I’m the same. I don’t know how many times I’ve googled the ‘handball rule’ this year and I still don’t get fully get what it is.

“What is a natural position, what isn’t? Your arms need to go up when you jump.”