3 forgotten Rangers vs Celtic ref calls from VAR penalty pardon for Liam Scales to Fabio Silva 'amateur dramatics'

It was a busy afternoon for John Beaton and the VAR team during the 3-3 Old Firm firecracker.

It was never going to be a clash without controversy – and John Beaton certainly had a busy afternoon at Ibrox.

It was an Old Firm blockbuster as Rangers and Celtic battled out a 3-3 derby thriller with the Scottish Premiership title hopefuls going full throttle in their bid to claim the silverware. But whistler Beaton and the VAR team were involved heavily with Celtic being awarded a first-half penalty following a handball by Connor Goldson, allowing Matt O'Riley to score from the spot to make it 2-0.

Things didn't get any quieter in the second half for the man in the middle as he awarded a penalty to Rangers after a VAR review flagged contact between Alistair Johnston and Fabio Silva in the box. Seconds later Cyriel Dessers thought he had levelled the game at 2-2 – but VAR and Beaton chalked off the strike for a foul on Tomoki Iwata by Tom Lawrence in the build-up.

But those were not the only key flashpoints that VAR put in focus on derby day. Record Sport looks a some of the big calls that went under the radar.

Fabio Silva 'penalty' claim

The Wolves loanee was at the centre of the talking points following the Ibrox blockbuster - and thought he had won his side a penalty with Celtic leading the game 1-0. Under pressure from Liam Scales on the edge of the box, Silva took a tumble - but despite his protests, his claims for a spot-kick were waved away. VAR backed up the man in the middle, with Chris Sutton stating on Sky Sports: "Some of the Rangers players appealing for a penalty there. It's slightly optimistic."

Kenny Miller chimed in: "Tom Lawrence definitely was appealing. I think it was just outside the box as well - so there is the answer."

Alistair Johnston yellow card

The penalty award wasn't the only clash between these two - with the Celtic defender halting the run of the Portuguese star with Rangers desperate to find a foothold in the game while trailing 2-0. As Silva chased down a long-ball forward, Johnston blocked his route. The Light Blues' forward collapsed in a heap following the challenge - while John Beaton booked the right-back.

A check for a more severe punishment for Johnston went to VAR - but the Hoops' right-back was cleared. Sutton: "I have lost count of the amount of times he has thrown himself to the ground. It's no surprise that VAR didn't take action."

Miller: "He has blocked his run - there is no doubt about it. It's a yellow card but it's the rolling about after it that you don't want to see. It's amateur dramatics from Silva."

On BBC Sportscene, Peter Grant was also irked by Silva's antics. He said: "I think it was hard for John Beaton with the likes of Silva diving all over the place. It was a free-kick for that one, but it is hard to tell in that sort of powerderkeg."

Connor Goldson 'penalty' claim

With Rangers chasing an equaliser in injury-time, Scales was involved in a collision with Goldson as the pair jumped to win a header at a late corner. VAR would run the rule over the decision before deciding to clear Celtic defender.

Kenny Miller said: "It was just a check there. I think Liam Scales barges into Connor Goldson and does enough to put him off."