Ex-Premier League referee: Rangers may have Celtic to thank after controversial James Tavernier footage analysed
Rangers may have been awarded a penalty in their 4-1 win over Aberdeen on Saturday (29 October) due to a controversy in Celtic’s 4-3 win over Hearts last week (22 October).
That is the view of ex-Fifa and Premier League referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider after Rangers were awarded a penalty for a handball by Jayden Richardson.
At Tynecastle last week, Celtic wanted a penalty for a handball by Michael Smith but Nick Walsh waved away their appeals and VAR did not intervene.
At Ibrox, as shown on the BBC’s Sportscene programme, the ball struck Richardson’s arm in a similar manner after a James Tavernier corner and Steven McLean waved away Rangers’ appeals.
VAR intervened and after McLean reviewed the footage on the pitchside monitor, he awarded a penalty that Tavernier missed.
“The one thing that is evident to me is that the Scottish referees communicate and have very good management,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“That’s handball. It’s similar to the Michael Smith one in Celtic’s win at Hearts last weekend.
“The referee has got this one absolutely spot on so there are no qualms with that.
“All we’re looking for is consistency. On this occasion, the way that VAR was used was first class.
“He’s had another look, reviewed it and given a handball decision, well done to them.
“I do believe that the Scottish referees learn from their errors as a group, not just individually and are given good guidance.
“Here we’ve got another good young referee who looks comfortable and moves around the field well. What a pity we haven’t got him in the Premier League.”
In other news, Celtic and Rangers have been told to “avoid a real mess” amid a “dangerous” claim.