Dermot Gallagher dumbstruck by Rangers no goal as he raises alternative reason VAR pinged Don Robertson
Don Robertson sparked fury when he chalked Kemar Roofe's strike off for a contentious foul on Gustaf Lagerbielke.
Dermot Gallagher was stunned Don Robertson ruled out Kemar Roofe's opening goal against Celtic after a VAR review - and believes his initial call was the right one.
Celtic won the first derby of the season with Brendan Rodgers picking up a big 1-0 win over Michael Beale's side but it wasn't without its controversies. Rangers had two goals ruled out, Rabbi Matondo denied by a VAR offside call before a Roofe strike was chalked off due to a contentious Cyriel Dessers foul on Gustaf Lagerbielke. On-field referee Robertson initially gave the goal but was called over to the screens by VAR Alan Muir, and sparked fury when he overturned his call and awarded Celtic a free-kick instead.
It's a decision which has fuelled plenty of debate and former top ref Gallagher reckons Robertson's initial call was the correct one. He told Sky Sports' Ref Watch: "I think the referee has got it absolutely correct on the pitch. I don't think it's a foul, Dessers gets in front of him.
"All I can think when he goes to the screen is he thinks he pushes him. But if VAR hadn't intervened, no-one would have complained. I've no idea (why he overturned it). It's certainly not a foul. 100 per cent (the wrong decision)."
Another former ref Bobby Madden gave a different view though as he said: "The defender is in control. The defender's action is to play the ball with his left foot.
"This is the important part. The attacker has not played the ball at this point and puts his foot in between the defender and the ball. It's a foul anywhere on the pitch, no matter what happens thereafter. Had the attacker played the ball before the contact, fine. But he was never in control or possession.
"Live, like most people watching, I would never think foul. Naturally you think 'he has p****d about and been caught on the ball.' But when you have VAR and all the angles, you can't allow a goal when you have all that evidence."
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