Rangers v Celtic: Ex-SFA officials call out Michael Stewart after what he said about Ibrox incident
Former Scottish FA officials Des Roache and Steve Conroy have reacted to Michael Stewart’s comments after controversial VAR decisions in the 3-3 Old Firm draw between Celtic and Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday.
There was plenty of controversy in the derby, which saw two penalties awarded and an equalising goal disallowed.
This saw many comments fly in on social media with Stewart describing the decisions as “embarrassing” and “disgraceful”.
Although many Gers fans agreed with the former midfielder, the Behind The Whistles podcast, which is ran by Roache and Conroy, replied to him reminding him of the rules on X.
They said: “Sorry, Michael Stewart you need to read up on the Laws of the game. They are pinned to our account.”
Did the referee get decisions right in the Old Firm for Rangers?
The Old Firm took just 20 seconds to take off as James Tavernier’s clearance cannoned past Jack Butland in off Daizen Maeda.
Celtic had a chance to make it two as they earned a penalty after a VAR check. Connor Goldson was deemed to have handled the ball as it came off his elbow. This was the first moment of referee controversy but it must be said that the decision was the right one.
There was another penalty decision to make for VAR as Fabio Silva went down inside the area. Although Chris Sutton wasn’t pleased, the officials deemed it as a foul. Contact came from Alistair Johnston and that was deemed to be enough.
Just minutes after Tavernier halves the deficit, Cyriel Dessers thought he had levelled the game. VAR suggested that Tom Lawrence had fouled Tomoki Iwata on the halfway line and the goal was chalked off.
This was frustrating to fans who felt that the foul took place too far away and before the goal eventually went in.
All these decisions can be discussed and argued either way but in the grand scheme of things they were correct.
In other Rangers news, a Leeds-born striker has confirmed that he wants to move to Ibrox and is available on a free transfer this summer.
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