Rangers v Celtic: Keith Jackson reacts to ‘Ridiculous’ controversy at Ibrox
Keith Jackson has insisted that the handball rule is “ridiculous” after Rangers drew 3-3 with Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday 7 April.
The Daily Record journalist admitted that the decision was correct by law as Connor Goldson was penalised in the opening half.
VAR intervened on several occasions throughout a hot-tempered and thoroughly entertaining Old Firm derby, with Rangers responding from a poor first half to rescue a point twice.
In his column for the Record, Jackson said: “Goldson could do absolutely nothing about it as the ball was glanced onto his elbow from point blank range. But rules are rules, no matter how ridiculous they may seem and, after watching the replays, Beaton was correct to point to the spot.”
Referees and VAR the talking point after chaotic Old Firm
Jackson was keen to state in his analysis that refereeing a game of this magnitude and temperament could’ve been too much to handle for the officials and that the man in the middle John Beaton did an excellent job in the circumstances.
The madness began just 21 seconds in when James Tavernier’s clearance ricocheted off Daizen Maeda into the back of the Rangers’ net and ended with Rabbi Matondo’s curler making it 3-3 in the 93rd minute.
In between, there were two contentious penalties given, several other shouts waved away, and a disallowed goal that would’ve drawn Rangers level straight after Tavernier’s penalty made it 2-1.
Beaton didn’t falter under the pressure of Ibrox, but let’s be honest, it was VAR that decided that game, not the referee, as he knew he could fall back on the technology.
Thankfully, it is still in Rangers’ hands and winning at Dundee next time out will send them back to the top of the Scottish Premiership and in command of the title race.
In other Rangers news, The Daily Record weren’t impressed with one player during the game and rated him a 4/10
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