'I looked on the big screen' - Ex-PGMOL chief admits '100%' U-turn on Rangers vs Hibernian controversy

Don Robertson was "100 per cent" correct in punishing Vanja Dragojevic during Rangers' defeat to Hibernian at Ibrox.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Scottish FA are rightly cracking down on grappling inside the penalty area.

It took Derek McInnes' side just 12 minutes to go behind on Sunday, 9 August, with Josh Campbell firing past Ivor Pandur from 12 yards.

The Gers pulled level through a Miguel Chaiwa in the 85th minute, but Callum Wright struck in added time to seal all three points for the visitors.

After the defeat, Rangers fans continued the debate over Hibs' opening penalty after Dragojevic was adjudged to have pulled Jason Kerr to the floor.

Upon viewing the controversial incident for the first time, Hackett disagreed with the decision to award a penalty following a VAR review.

Rangers vs Hibernian shows evidence of Scottish FA clamping down

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, however, Hackett admitted a U-turn on his initial reaction, stating that Robertson and VAR were "100 per cent" correct.

"I think with the Rangers one, I had a look on the big screen after that comment and the referee got it 100 per cent [correct]," he said.

"It seems to me that the Scottish FA referees, through Willie Collum, are tightening up on it.

"It was interesting also to read Chris Sutton because he was praiseworthy of the referee for taking that action. He's been very vociferous, rightly, through the season about grappling in the penalty area.

"Most commentators have, but nothing's been done. Let's hope the Scottish FA do it."

'Willie Collum is an outstanding leader'

Over in the Premier League, Howard Webb is often heavily criticised by fans all across the country. Willie Collum, on the other hand, is being praised.

"There's always a lot of criticism in Scotland about the quality of refereeing, Hackett started off by saying to Football Insider.

"Looking at it more closely, as I've done the last couple of seasons, there's actually some fine referees in Scotland. And I do think that Willie Collum is an outstanding leader."

The standard of refereeing in Scotland often has question marks hanging over it, but Hackett is confident of an improvement in 2026-27.