Celtic and Rangers put under Ref Watch microscope as Dermot Gallagher delivers verdict on 3 big calls

The Glasgow duo got featured by the former EPL whistler on part of his Sky Sports segment

12:26, 23 Dec 2024Updated 12:55, 23 Dec 2024

Dermot Gallagher discussed the big calls during Rangers vs Celtic

Dermot Gallagher ran the rule over THREE decisions involving Rangers and Celtic over the weekend.

Philippe Clement's men moved into second spot and clawed back some ground on Brendan Rodgers' runaway leaders after the way the results played out in the Premiership. The Light Blues dumped Dundee at Ibrox by a single goal thanks to Vaclav Cerny's winner - which came under the watchful eye of the former EPL whistler. Aberdeen's poor run of form continued with a home defeat to Hibs meaning Jimmy Thelin's men now trail the men from Govan by a point having played one game more.

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Celtic played out a stalemate in tricky conditions 24 hours later at Tannadice meaning they are nine points clear of Rangers at the league summit with the duo set to go head to head on January 2 at Ibrox. They both play again twice before that meeting but it was the matches and incidents involving Cerny and Ianis Hagi that got the Ref Watch treatment and one penalty shout for the Hoops.

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On Cerny's goal, Gallagher said: "You could say 'Why didn't he flag earlier'? but looking at this we can understand why they don't flag early. If he flags early there the move is terminated. It is a good spot."

Hagi had his goal disallowed after being flagged for offside with Gallagher praising the match officials catching this one in live play. He added: "Yeah that was given on field as well and confirmed by the VAR and allowed to play out as well. It was offside."

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Hoops supporters appealed for a handball in their draw with United but that was quickly dismissed by Gallagher in the Sky Sports studio. He explained: "I don't think he has any chance whatsoever. His hands are down by his side and can't do nothing about it. I watched a lot of this game. The wind was horrific so the ball was bouncing everywhere. You can understand that bouncing up and the player being struck but that was all it was."