Martin O'Neill on the left and Derek McInnes on the right in a split image

Martin O'Neill and Derek McInnesImago

Rangers vs Celtic oversight causes 'surprise' as ex-FIFA ref finds reason to fume

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Published on:

14 Sep 2026, 5:40 am

Nick Walsh was again at the centre of things in Rangers' resounding win over Celtic.

Derek McInnes enjoyed his best result yet as Gers manager thanks to a dominant 3-0 win at Ibrox on Sunday afternoon.

Dan Neil scored twice and Kevin Kelsy also registered his first goal for the Light Blues.

Rangers could have won by more on what was a superb team performance in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final tie.

Emmanuel Fernandez had a goal ruled out for offside, but the margins worked in the Gers' favour for Kelsy's goal after a VAR check.

Walsh had one or two other big calls to make, one of which very much went Rangers' way.

Olwethu Makhanya fortunate to avoid sanction vs Celtic

Rangers' win never really looked in doubt from the moment Kelsy added to Neil's opener.

However, Celtic felt they should have been awarded a penalty prior to that.

Not a lot was made of the incident that saw Olwethu Makhanya climb on Kasper Hogh's back and then swing him to the ground.

It was seemingly not spotted by Walsh, while there was no indication of a VAR check.

Even Premier Sports made little of it during their live coverage of the cup tie.

But former FIFA referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, is surprised by the lack of VAR intervention.

"With the referee not awarding a penalty kick then looking at this clip I am surprised that there was no VAR intervention," he said.

"Celtic have every right to be disappointed that a penalty kick was not awarded."

Rangers fans will just be grateful that a contentious Walsh call has gone in their favour for once.

Pat Bonner in disbelief at what Emmanuel Fernandez got away with in Rangers vs Celtic - 'Oh my word'

Rangers' dominance vs Celtic in numbers

Even Martin O'Neill, to his credit, accepted Celtic were dominated at a packed Ibrox.

The stats do not lie. Rangers had more than double the number of shots than Celtic (15 versus seven) and registered eight shots on target to their opponents' one.

Rangers also had more of the ball (53 per cent) and made good use of it with their three goals - the only stat that really matters.

While it is true this Makhanya decision went Rangers' way, there was only ever going to be one winner at Ibrox.

Celtic Football Club