Dermot Gallagher notes ‘two issues’ from St Mirren’s disallowed goal during win for Celtic

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Celtic left it late to beat St Mirren in Paisley over the weekend.

A lot of people are talking about Callum McGregor’s stunning late winner, but St Mirren’s disallowed goal is also proving to be a hot topic.

The game came alive in the second half because both teams were going at each other, as Liam Scales put the ball in the back of his own net before McGregor’s long-range stunner.

But the on-field referee and linesman deemed that Conor McMenamin’s offside position was enough to put Scales off, so the goal was disallowed to Stephen Robinson’s anger and frustration.

• READ MORE: Chris Sutton clamps bitter Stephen Robinson’s VAR moan as Celtic hero says St Mirren boss is ‘talking rubbish’

Dermot Gallagher on St Mirren’s offside goal against Celtic

The offside goal was discussed on Sky Sports News’ Ref Watch, with Dermot Gallagher noting ‘two issues’ from that call.

The former Premier League referee stated that you have to bear in mind that ‘the on-field decision was offside’, and then Scales’ actions’ being affected by it.

“I think two issues here,” said Gallagher. “Firstly, bear in mind the on-field decision was offside. The on-field decision is based on the fact that the forward, if you see, he does move towards the ball.

“He’s in an offside position, which I think if he holds his ground, he’s never going to be penalised. But if he holds his ground.

“Does Liam Scales have to make the same action? The assistant spoke to the referee because he knows he’s in an offside position. He has got a gauge with the referee, if you look at his angle.

“Has he moved towards the ball? And he has, which is one of the tick boxes. I think, unfortunately for St Mirren, because it was given on the field, it’s going to be offside.”

Jay Bothroyd focuses on Liam Scales’ actions…

Whilst many feel the call to rule out St Mirren’s goal was correct, former Premier League forward Jay Bothroyd wasn’t so sure.

Bothroyd thinks Celtic’s centre-back was ‘fortunate’, because throughout that action of play, he was always looking at the ball and the ball only.

Jay Bothroyd: “If we can see that again. The only thing I would say in this particular scenario. When Liam Scales, if you take it back again, he is looking at the ball the whole time now.

“He’s looking, he’s looking, he’s looking, he’s looking, and he’s looking at the ball down now. He might be able to see him in his peripheral vision as he is striking the ball.

“But I don’t think the player behind him is affecting what he’s doing still. I think that still would have happened even if the player wasn’t there. I think Liam Scales is fortunate there.”

Gallagher: “I think it was fortunate. But because it was given offside on the field. I don’t think VAR was ever going to overturn it, because the evidence is the player moves towards the ball, which he does.”