The Scottish FA Key Match Incident panel have given referee Don Robertson a unanimous show of support for his performance in the middle as Rangers defeated Celtic.
Philippe Clement secured his first Old Firm triumph as he saw off Brendan Rodgers’ league leaders with goals from Ianis Hagi, Robin Propper and Danilo to cut Celtic’s lead at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to 11 points – but the game didn’t go without controversy inside the Ibrox cauldron. And the panel assembled by Scottish football’s governing body have now offered their view on three key incidents overseen by whistler Robertson and VAR Nick Walsh.
In the first half, Alistair Johnston collided with goalscorer Hagi who crumbled after being caught by the Celtic defender’s forearm. Clement protested on the touchline for a red card but Robertson opted to let the Canadian go unpunished while the VAR team refused to step in following the flashpoint. The SFA notes stating: “The on-field decision was unanimously supported (5-0).”
Nicolas Kuhn was left bloodied by Light Blues’ left-back Jefte are catching a flailing arm in the face. Both Robertson and Walsh decided the collision was accidental which was backed: “The on-field decision was unanimously supported (5-0).”
The VAR team also chalked off a goal for Kyogo Furuhashi as the Hoops’ frontman volleyed beyond Liam Kelly. The SFA unanimously backed the decision by the match officials.
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