Rangers fans have grown increasingly frustrated with the officiating in Old Firm derbies, particularly the application of VAR, which they feel consistently benefits Celtic in decisive moments.
The latest controversy arose during the Premier Sports Cup final when Vaclav Cerny was denied a penalty despite replays clearly showing he was fouled inside the box by Liam Scales.
The failure of VAR to intervene has prompted Rangers to contact the SFA for explanations, further highlighting what they believe is a pattern of biased decisions in these high-stakes fixtures.
Here, we examine seven contentious moments from recent Old Firm derbies that have sparked outrage among Rangers supporters, with calls for greater accountability and consistency in the use of VAR.
Celtic 3-2 Rangers (08/04/23)
The controversy surrounding VAR in Old Firm derbies began during this clash when Alfredo Morelos had an early goal disallowed for an alleged foul on Alistair Johnston during a corner.
Replays showed minimal contact as the two players jostled for position, yet referee Kevin Clancy ruled against Morelos, a decision upheld by VAR.
Rangers were “astonished” and filed a complaint with the SFA, but the governing body backed the decision. This set the tone for what Rangers fans feel has been a series of unjust calls favoring Celtic.
Rangers 0-1 Celtic (03/09/23)
In the first derby of the new campaign, Kemar Roofe thought he had given Rangers the lead after Cyriel Dessers appeared to win the ball cleanly from Gustaf Lagerbielke.
However, VAR intervened and ruled the goal out for a foul. Replays suggested Dessers simply outmuscled the Celtic defender, leaving many to question the decision.
Celtic capitalized, with Kyogo Furuhashi scoring the winner. The controversial call added to the pressure on Rangers manager Michael Beale, who later lost his job.
Celtic 2-1 Rangers (30/12/23)
In one of the most bizarre refereeing moments, Abdallah Sima appeared to have a penalty claim when Alistair Johnston handled the ball in the box.
The referee awarded a goal kick, and VAR later released an image suggesting Sima was offside in the build-up. This explanation came during the second half, sparking accusations of a cover-up.
Rangers demanded audio of the incident, branding the situation “unacceptable.”
Rangers 3-3 Celtic (07/04/24)
This thrilling encounter was marred by controversy when Cyriel Dessers had an equalizer disallowed for a foul in the build-up.
Tom Lawrence was deemed to have committed an infraction in Rangers’ half, a decision many felt did not meet the “clear and obvious” standard required for VAR intervention.
Rangers fought back to secure a 3-3 draw, but the overturned goal was a pivotal moment in the match and the title race.
Celtic 2-1 Rangers (11/05/24)
In a heated encounter at Celtic Park, John Lundstram was shown a red card following a VAR review of his challenge on Alistair Johnston.
While pundits debated the severity of the tackle, many Rangers fans pointed out similar challenges in other games that went unpunished.
The decision left Rangers playing with 10 men, further fueling frustrations about perceived inconsistencies in officiating.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers (25/05/24)
In the Scottish Cup final, Rangers thought they had taken the lead when Abdallah Sima scored from a corner.
VAR intervened, ruling out the goal for a foul by Nicolas Raskin on Joe Hart. The decision was deemed soft, as replays showed Hart struggling under minimal contact while holding Raskin.
This proved decisive as Celtic went on to win the trophy, leaving Rangers and their fans feeling aggrieved once again.
Celtic 3-3 Rangers (15/12/24)
The most recent controversy unfolded in the Premier Sports Cup final. With the score tied 3-3 in extra time, Vaclav Cerny was fouled by Liam Scales on the edge of the penalty area.
Referee John Beaton awarded a free kick, but replays showed the foul occurred on the line, meaning a penalty should have been given.
Despite clear evidence, VAR did not intervene, leading to widespread criticism. Former referees and pundits have since stated that Rangers should have been awarded a penalty.
Rangers Demand Accountability
Rangers have contacted the SFA, seeking explanations for the latest decision. While VAR has been quick to penalize Rangers in other instances, it has often failed to act in their favor.
This perceived inconsistency has left fans questioning the integrity of officiating in Old Firm derbies.
With pressure mounting, the SFA’s handling of these incidents will remain under scrutiny. For Rangers, these decisions have not only affected individual matches but have also played a significant role in shaping their recent rivalry with Celtic.
Fans are now demanding greater transparency and accountability to restore trust in the system.
