Rangers have been left fuming after a major flashpoint in their clash with St Mirren—one that’s now sparked fresh debate over VAR consistency and refereeing standards in Scotland.
At the centre of it all is a handball call that never came. And according to a former top official, it should have.
Controversy at the key moment
The incident unfolded inside the St Mirren penalty area when Nicolas Raskin’s header struck the arm of Alex Gogic. Rangers players immediately appealed, but referee Steven MacLean waved play on.
VAR, led by Chris Graham, also chose not to intervene—leaving Ibrox furious at what they saw as a game-changing decision.
Now, former SFA referee Steve Conroy has weighed in—and he didn’t hold back.
“Clear as day” decision questioned
Speaking on The Ref’s View podcast, Conroy made his stance crystal clear:
“That is a clear penalty. I caveat that slightly, because in a sane world that’s not given as a penalty for deliberate handball, but under the current climate that’s clear as day a penalty.
“There is no manoeuvre in that incident that would facilitate his arm being that far away from his body. It’s unnatural and he was making himself big.”
It’s a damning verdict—and one that raises serious questions about how handball decisions are currently being judged.
VAR inconsistency back under the spotlight
Beyond the incident itself, the bigger issue for many is consistency—particularly when it comes to VAR intervention.
Conroy believes the fallout from a previous controversial decision involving Celtic defender Auston Trusty has effectively shifted the standards being applied this season.
The American centre-back was sent off against Hearts after VAR upgraded an initial yellow card to a red for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO).
That moment, according to Conroy, set a precedent.
“The VAR scenario, it all started with the Trusty one that VAR got involved in.
“That in my opinion is never denying a goalscoring opportunity, but if it gets involved with that, why can’t it get involved with this?
“I don’t think Raskin would have scored, I do think he was denying an opportunity. And that is all that is needed, it’s a farce.”
Bigger questions for Scottish football
The debate now goes beyond one decision.
If VAR is willing to step in for marginal calls in some cases, why stay silent in others that appear more clear-cut? That’s the question fans—and now former officials—are asking.
For Rangers, it’s another moment to add to a growing list of grievances.
For Scottish football, it’s yet another reminder that VAR, rather than removing controversy, continues to fuel it.