By Ross Pilcher

Copyright dailyrecord

Four major decisions involving Rangers and Celtic have been given the Sky Sports ref watch treatment. There was late drama at Rugby Park as Hoops new boy Kelechi Iheanacho marked his debut with a last gasp penalty winner to send Brendan Rodgers’ side back to the top of the league ahead of Hearts , who won 2-0 at Ibrox 24 hours previously. But the spot-kick John Beaton awarded to the champions after a VAR check for a Lewis Mayo handball has been blasted as extremely harsh on Stuart Kettlewell’s side. And the ref watch panel consisting of former Premier League whistler Dermot Gallagher alongside ex-Coventry, Wolves and QPR striker Jay Bothroyd were of the same opinion. Gallagher: “It’s extremely harsh. I also thought that when the referee was sent to the screen, he wouldn’t give a penalty. It comes off his own teammate and rebounds up. What they work to is if it comes off a part of your own body on to your hand or a teammate. It comes off his teammate, it flies up and his arm is always in that position. It’s there, it’s struck him and it’s extremely unlucky.” Bothroyd: “That is so harsh. I probably would have got a red card for arguing with the ref because that was so bad. The fact that it’s deflected off the player on to his arm and it’s so close. He’s not put his hand up to react to it and try to stop it going in. That is a poor, poor decision.” That result only highlighted the dire situation Rangers are in, having gone tenth in the Premiership table the day before and now nine points behind the top two. But there was plenty of sympathy for the Light Blues, starting with the decision to let Lawrence Shankland’s opener stand after a handball claim. Gallagher: ” Rangers had more than their share of bad luck in this game to be honest. That’s handball, it’s not seen by the referee.” Bothroyd: “I can’t understand how he hasn’t seen that. He’s what, seven or eight yards away? It’s glaring to see. His body is facing it. It’s a great finish by the way, but I don’t understand how the officials don’t see that. That is just so clear to see. If players can see it and appeal for it, why can the referee not? It wasn’t even in that area where it’s a grey area, that was down by his elbow. That should never have been a goal. Gallagher: “And of course, the worse thing happens – they score from it. That’s why it’s the consequence rather than the decision.” Rangers then had an equaliser disallowed for a Thelo Aasgaard push on goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow. Once again, both Gallagher and Bothroyd felt Gers were hard done by. Bothroyd: “The keeper’s just got to be stronger. He’s allowed to use his hands. he’s allowed to jump and use his arms. So really, he can go higher than players that are using their heads. He needs to come out, be aggressive and and try to punch it. It’s just a poor decision. I think that should have been a goal and that could get the manager sacked.” Gallagher: “The on-field decision is carrying the weight but I thought he was extremely lucky to get a foul for that. We’ve seen a few times in the Premier League this season, goalkeepers being challenged and we’ve liked it. As long as they’re not clattered into. Bothroyd: “He’s not even fallen over and he’s got the benefit of the doubt. If you go down, there’s half a chance that you’ll get the decision. Goalkeepers are protected way too much.” Finally, Hearts sealed the points with a late Lawrence Shankland penalty that was missed before he tucked away the rebound. But Diomande’s trip on Harry Milne left the panel undecided. Gallagher: It’s a tough call and I’m in two minds about this. This wide angle, you can’t tell whether he’s clipped him or not. From the other angle, is there enough contact? But the referee gave it on field.” Bothroyd: “Was there contact though? That didn’t look like there was contact there to me. He’s put his foot down, he’s reached out and I think that’s cute play from the forward. If there is contact, then it’s the slightest bit and he;s stumbled over the ball. But it’s cute play He’s running into the box and committing defenders which is great, but from that wide angle you can’t see it. From the other angle, yes he;s put his foot out, but I don’t think that is a penalty.”