Alistair Johnston VAR call vs Rangers pored over as SFA panel weigh in on Jefte ‘red’ decision

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Don Robertson made a handful of controversial decisions in Celtic’s defeat to Rangers on Thursday afternoon.

The referee opted to call Alistair Johnston‘s challenge on Ianis Hagi a normal jumping effort despite the Romanian hitting the deck with a few rolls thrown in for effect.

Nick Walsh, in charge of VAR, also waved play on from the tech truck.

The Scottish FA‘s set up Key Match Incident panel pored over the decision made by the whistler on that occasion and ruled in favour of Robertson for his on-field decision.

• READ MORE: Celtic fans divided in reaction to Rangers loss as Hoops take stock after ‘bad day out’

The SFA notes read: “The on-field decision was unanimously supported (5-0)”.

Another moment involved Brazilian defender Jefte who left Celtic player Nicolas Kuhn bloodied in a collision at the corner flag.

Brendan Rodgers and his staff called for a red for the Gers star but again, following VAR’s analysis, a yellow was dished out by Robertson and VAR was in agreement.

The same KMI panel felt Robertson had got it spot on again with the same notes: “The on-field decision was unanimously supported (5-0).”

The SFA’s KMI panel pored over Don Robertson’s derby decisions

The final call from the 90 minutes of action – where Hagi, Robin Propper and Danilo won the game ahead of the Hoops’ underperforming stars – involved Kyogo up front in the second-half.

The Japanese international felt he had brought his side back into the game with a brilliant lobbed finish from what looked an inch-perfect run over Liam Kelly who played ahead of the injured Jack Butland.

But it was called offside by the linesman.

VAR then drew the lines and checked the goal out and it was deemed, indeed, to be offside so was disallowed.

Once again, the KMI panel unanimously agreed that the decision was the right one and agreed.

How pundits have reacted to Celtic’s defeat to Rangers

It was a poor outing for the runaway Scottish Premiership league leaders who still boast an 11-point gap over Rangers at the summit.

Steven Naismith accused Celtic of looking like they “couldn’t be bothered” during the game while Ally McCoist said Callum McGregor has had his “card marked” by Gers’ midfield.

Chris Sutton, meanwhile, chose to slam Liam Scales‘ performance while Reo Hatate has “never been worse” in his passing efforts.

The game was marred towards the end when Arne Engels was hit by a coin thrown from the Ibrox stands.