The final Glasgow derby of the season took place on Sunday at Ibrox.
As usual, Sky Sports broadcast the game, with their usual pundits, including Kris Boyd, James McFadden, Scott Arfield, and Celtic legends Chris Sutton and Stiliyan Petrov.
Usually, you want a few disagreements with the pundits, and that comes from big talking points during the game.
But as Celtic and Rangers recorded a draw, the mood was calm post-match, including from the players when the full-time whistle blew.
Given the fact that Celtic are champions of Scotland again, perhaps took that added spice and extra aggression out of the match.
Whatever the reason, it certainly made life for the officials, the on-field referee and VAR, a lot easier.
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Kris Boyd states what ‘you don’t say often’ following the conclusion of Celtic’s clash at Rangers
The on-field referee for the game was Nick Walsh, as he was assisted by Frank Connor and Dougie Potter.
The man in charge of leading proceedings as the VAR was Andrew Dallas – and he was called into action three times.
From Rangers’ penalty shout to Nico Raskin’s goal being ruled out for offside, Boyd stated that the powers that be got all the calls correct, including how the officials were ‘pretty decent’ with their work and how that’s not something you say often, as he told Sky Sports Football (04/05/25).
“I think, for me, VAR have had a good day,” said Boyd. “Andrew Dallas has done really well on VAR (making reference to ruling out Raskin’s goal for offside).
“Going back to the penalty as well, Ianis Hagi tries to be clever because he realises he isn’t getting there as well.
“If you watch it, he puts his foot in and plants it. He isn’t getting it. Then he tries to stab his left foot through to initiate the contact, but for me, it’s not a penalty kick.
“For VAR, and even Nick Walsh, I thought he refereed the game. There weren’t a lot of nasty challenges that we usually see in this game, and people get carried away. It was only in the latter stages that there were a couple of bookings given out.
“So, I think for the officials and VAR, it was a pretty decent day, and it’s not often that we say that.”
VAR incidents that were cleared and checked
There was some needle at the start, including Callum McGregor asking for Raskin to be booked, after he stopped a counter attack.
The opening 45 minutes provided the aggression and action, with Rangers scoring minutes before the break through Cyriel Dessers.
Celtic controlled proceedings in the second half, including getting their much-deserved goal through Adam Idah following a lengthy VAR check.
- 25th minute – Raskin’s header ruled out by VAR for offside
- 58th minute – Idah’s goal confirmed after Maeda ruled to be onside
- 81st minute – Hagi penalty call cleared
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