Don Robertson and Alan Muir Rangers Celtic VAR ‘double whammy’ called out by ex-SPL referee

The Light Blues briefly went ahead in the derby but Kemar Roofe’s goal was eventually chalked off

Don Robertson’s original decision to not award Celtic a foul when Cyriel Dessers nicked the ball off Gustaf Lagerbielke during Sunday’s Old Firm clash at Ibrox was NOT a clear and obvious error.

That’s according to ex-SPL whistler Steve Conroy, who says VAR Alan Muir and on-field referee Robertson were both at fault regarding the controversial incident. Rangers striker Dessers dispossessed the dilly-dallying Lagerbielke, before advancing into the box to square it for Kemar Roofe, who lashed an effort into the back of the net to make it 1-0 to the Light Blues.

Robertson did not blow for a foul against Dessers initially, but was invited to look at the pitchside monitor by Muir in relation to a possible infringement on Lagerbielke. Robertson then overturned his original decision and thus chopped off the Rangers opener, much to the fury of the Ibrox crowd.

But Conroy says Robertson’s first call to let play go on after the challenge was not a clear and obvious – therefore, Muir should not have intervened. But while Conroy blames Muir primarily, he also thinks Robertson is at fault for not sticking with his original decision after having a look at the monitor.

Speaking to ShareMarketCap, Conroy said: “I don’t see where the foul is. Don was right with his first instinct, and it shouldn’t have been overturned. As we have said before, not all contact is a foul.

“This was not a clear and obvious error – a disputed situation yes, but no clear and obvious error – and that’s the criteria for asking a ref to look at an incident on the monitor.

“So, it’s a double whammy. Alan Muir should not have called for Don to look at it again and subsequently Don should not have overturned his original decision.”

READ MORE:

Kyogo completes Rangers goal full house as Celtic hitman adds missing Ibrox piece to set

The Japanese hitman has hit the Light Blues for six goals this calendar year.

Kyogo can’t stop scoring against Rangers and the Japanese has achieved something quite remarkable with his latest derby strike.

The forward struck a thunderbolt at Ibrox moments before the first half as he latched on to a Matt O’Riley header to fire past Jack Butland in what would be the difference maker in the Old Firm. It’s the Japanese’s sixth goal against the Light Blues in 2023, with the 2-2 draw in front of the Broomloan Stand in January marking his first goal against Rangers despite being free-scoring for the Hoops in the year and a half prior to the late equaliser. That set off a chain events as less than a month later in the Viaplay Cup, Kyogo scored twice to seal the trophy, scoring in each half in 2-1 win under Ange Postecoglou.

He was at the double again at Celtic Park in May, scoring after 25 minutes past Allan McGregor in front of the Lisbon Lions stand before capitalising at the other end in the second half after a John Souttar mix-up. And on Sunday, it was his strike that created an incredible record that Kyogo has scored against his rivals at both ends at Celtic Park, Ibrox and Hampden.

The likes of former strikers Moussa Dembele and Odsonne Edouard got pretty close, with both scoring at both ends at home, and the now Crystal Palace man doing the same at Ibrox. Callum McGregor also has goals against the Light Blues at the national stadium, Ibrox and Parkhead.

Kyogo has two goals from the opening four league games of the season as he once again eyes the golden boot in the Scottish Premiership.

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