Rangers: Ally McCoist defends Scottish officials after Nottingham Forest referee controversy

Ally McCoist has launched a defence of Scottish referees in games between Rangers and Celtic after the controversy surrounding Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

The Ibrox legend insisted that you cannot question the integrity of officials despite the likelihood in Scotland that they will have connections to one Old Firm club, stating you just have to trust them.

This has come after Forest claimed decisions had gone against them in their 2-0 defeat to Everton as VAR official Stuart Attwell allegedly supports Luton Town and therefore wanted the Reds to lose.

Speaking live on talkSPORT [08:46am], McCoist shared: "If we don't think for a minute that some of the officials who officiate Rangers and Celtic games have an allegiance to Rangers or Celtic, we're kidding ourselves.

"Maybe it's as a kid or through a family member, but we can't afford to start challenging their integrity."

Ally McCoist defends Scottish officials in Nottingham Forest verdict

There has been plenty of controversy surrounding referees in the SPFL this season and for a while given their inconsistent decisions, but the claims made by Forest outweigh any concerns raised by Rangers or Celtic.

Rangers themselves have been on the receiving end of some questionable decisions this season and have not been far from controversy, notably regarding Willy Collum after the decision he made in the Old Firm clash at Parkhead earlier this season.

Chris Sutton recently discussed claims that referees are biased either for or against one or the other Old Firm side (depending on which side you are on) as he labelled them "conspiracy theories", echoing McCoists claims that they are professionals.

Officials in Scotland are not required to disclose which club they support, unlike in England where they cannot be in charge of games which could affect their club, but as McCoist says, you cannot question their integrity or professionalism to remain unbiased.

In other Rangers news, McCoist fumed at what Jeff Stelling said about the Old Firm.

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