Rangers expert confused by VAR latest as Connor Goldson footage re-analysed
Former Rangers defender Alan Hutton was surprised by VAR official Willie Collum didn’t tell referee John Beaton to have another look at Connor Goldson’s handball.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Gers right-back said it was “unfortunate” for Celtic that they were not awarded a penalty.
As shown on Sky Sports (2 January), the 30-year-old appears to handle the ball as Carl Starfelt hit a strike from close range.
Beaton waved away Celtic’s claims for a penalty and VAR Willie Collum did not send the referee to re-watch the incident.
The Hoops managed to salvage a point from the game thanks to Kyogo Furuhashi’s late equaliser.
As relayed by the Herald (3 January), the IFAB handball law states that an “instinctive reaction to protect the face which does not make the body bigger is usually not penalised”.
Referees are urged to apply the “spirit of the law” when making a decision in response to a reactive handball.
When asked if he was surprised Beaton was not told to have another look at the incident, Hutton told Football Insider: “A little.
“I think Willie Collum in the VAR would have said if he was unsure.
“He must have seen it as not being a clear and obvious mistake for whatever reason.
“I was much like a lot of the other pundits, I thought they would go and ask him to have a look and then he could make his mind up.
“But they stuck with the on-field referee and unfortunately for Celtic they did not get the penalty.“
In other news, Hutton has issued ‘massive’ Rangers claim after what he spotted against Celtic.