Credit: Imago

Evan Shaw

Sun 1 March 2026 14:05, UK Updated Sun 1 March 2026 14:26, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Rangers allowed a two-goal lead to slip through their clutches as they drew 2-2 with Celtic in Sunday’s Old Firm Derby.

The Gers failed to come out on top in Danny Rohl’s first home derby since taking the reins at Ibrox, as the pair of Glasgow giants played out a draw that gave Hearts’ Scottish Premiership title hopes a big boost.

Youssef Chermiti netted a stunning brace, including a remarkable overhead kick, but that wasn’t enough to secure three points as goals from Kieran Tierney and Reo Hatate, after a missed penalty, saw the visitors battle back.

It was a typically lively contest in the latest clash between Scotland’s two biggest clubs, and as a result, referee John Beaton had plenty of incidents to deal with throughout the afternoon.

With that in mind, Football Insider picks out three decisions that the man in the middle got horribly wrong during the game.

• Read More: Rangers tipped to agree Youssef Chermiti deal that lands ‘very good return’

Julian Araujo lucky to escape early yellow

Old Firm fixtures are always fiery encounters both on the pitch and in the stands, and Sunday’s game was certainly true to style in that respect.

Referees are always likely to be put under pressure as the challenges fly in, but there is a fine line between allowing the contest to flow and ensuring that the man with the whistle remains in control.

Rangers fans exploded when Julian Araujo barrelled into Mikey Moore during an aerial challenge in the seventh minute, as they made it clear that they thought the right-back should have been shown a yellow card.

Beaton understandably judged the game with a little more leniency than normal, but he was wrong not to book the Celtic man on this occasion, for a challenge that made absolutely no attempt to play the ball.

• Read More: ‘I’m afraid’ – Keith Wyness rips into Celtic and Rangers after crushing Scottish blow

Callum McGregor challenge on Mikey Moore never a yellow

Celtic captain Callum McGregor found himself walking a tightrope for the entire second half, after he was cautioned for a challenge on Moore in the 39th minute.

The Rangers starlet pounced on a loose ball midway inside his own half and exploded beyond the experienced McGregor, who stuck out a leg and appeared to trip the youngster.

However, replays showed that the contact between the two was extremely minimal, although that did little to stop Beaton from brandishing a yellow card, despite it not being a case of the tackle preventing a counter-attack.

Moore was a thorn in the side of the Bhoys all afternoon, and it appeared that Beaton reached his decision to caution McGregor due to Moore’s decision to jump to try to evade the challenge.

It was also the Celtic skipper’s first foul of the afternoon, leaving little reason for the man in the middle to take his name in a game of that magnitude.

• Read More: Celtic player ratings vs Rangers: Daizen Maeda disgraceful, 2/10 teammate cannot wear the shirt again

John Beaton shows carelessness with Mikey Moore free-kick

Rangers won a free-kick deep into stoppage time, providing them with the perfect chance to swing the ball into the Celtic box in the final stages of the game.

Beaton was correct to award a foul against Marcelo Saracchi after a heavy challenge, but he then showed carelessness by not being harsh enough as to where Moore took the free-kick from.

The youngster was trying to reposition the ball to give himself a wider angle to deliver from, and as a result, it could have given Rangers a crucial and unfair advantage.

Moments like that are often overlooked by referees, and it could have made a sizeable difference to the outcome of the game, had Moore produced a better delivery.