‘This is mental’ – Rangers fans amazed as Dermot Gallagher analyses latest footage of Celtic controversy
Rangers fans have blasted Dermot Gallagher for his “laughable” verdict on Alistar Johnston’s handball in their Old Firm clash on Saturday (30 December).
Gers fans were beside themselves when referee Nick Walsh did not award them a spot-kick in the first half after Johnston seemingly handled the ball out of play in the box away from Abdallah Sima.
Even after a VAR check, headed by Willie Collum, the decision was made for Celtic to restart the play with a goal kick as they did not deem the handling to be illegal.
Gallagher claimed that even if the on-field referee gave the Gers a penalty, it would have been disallowed once they spotted Sima being offside in the build-up.
Rangers went on to lose the hotly anticipated showdown 2-1 with Paulo Bernardo’s and Kyogo Furuhashi’s strikes giving the Hoops the victory.
James Tavernier’s 88th minute effort proved worthless and the defeat meant Philippe Clement’s unbeaten start to life at Ibrox came to a heartbreaking end at the hands of their fierce rivals.
The loss could have significant ramifications for the title race as Rangers now can’t surpass Celtic at the top of the table even if they win their two games in hand.
Rangers supporters remain furious over the controversial phase of play but Gallagher’s explanation has done nothing but fuel their rage.
They have taken to social media to berate the former referee as an “embarrassment” for his verdict on the incident.
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