NafisaThe fallout from Celtic’s massive 3-1 Old Firm victory over Rangers at Parkhead continues to dominate discussion across Scottish football, with referee Nick Walsh now finding himself at the centre of a growing storm following several hugely controversial moments during the match.
Martin O’Neill’s side came from behind to secure a huge victory in the title race after Mikey Moore fired Rangers ahead inside the opening stages. Celtic eventually turned the game around through Yang Hyun-jun before Daizen Maeda’s stunning second-half double buried Danny Rohl’s side in front of a roaring Parkhead crowd.
But while Celtic supporters celebrated one of their biggest derby wins of the season, Rangers fans were left furious over a number of officiating decisions which they believe completely changed the outcome of the game.
The first major flashpoint arrived during Celtic’s equaliser.
Arne Engels drilled a dangerous ball across the area before Yang swept the finish beyond Jack Butland to make it 1-1. However, immediate controversy erupted because Benjamin Nygren appeared to be standing in an offside position directly in front of the Rangers goalkeeper during the move.
Despite lengthy complaints from Rangers players, referee Nick Walsh allowed the goal to stand after a VAR review led by John Beaton.
The decision instantly sparked outrage online.
Former FIFA referee Keith Hackett later admitted he was shocked the goal had not been disallowed.
He said: “I really am surprised this goal was allowed to stand.
“It appeared to me that there was a Celtic player in an offside position in the line of the vision of the goalkeeper, and therefore interfering with play, interfering with his opponent. Goal should not stand.”
Even former Scotland international Pat Nevin questioned the decision despite admitting he personally wanted the goal to count from a football perspective.
The second huge controversy arrived later in the match involving Alistair Johnston.
The Celtic defender flew into a challenge on Mikey Moore during a heated period of the derby and escaped with only a yellow card from Walsh despite strong appeals from Rangers players for a straight red.
Replays showed Johnston catching Moore above the ankle during the follow-through, leading to even more fury among the away support.
Again, VAR chose not to intervene.
Keith Hackett later stated that Johnston should have been dismissed.
He explained: “The Celtic player should have received a red card for this Serious Foul Play challenge.
“On first viewing, it was a yellow, but on the angle shown, it is excessive force, endangering the safety of the opponent.”
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd was equally furious during Sky Sports coverage, insisting it was “a red card all day long.”
The officiating controversy only intensified further after another bizarre moment in the second half.
Following a heated confrontation involving several players, many Rangers supporters became convinced Johnston had committed another bookable offence which should have resulted in a second yellow card and dismissal.
Instead, Walsh booked Kieran Tierney, leaving Rangers fans convinced the referee had intentionally avoided sending the Canadian defender off during a crucial stage of the match.
The backlash since full-time has been relentless.
Social media has been flooded with Rangers supporters accusing Walsh and VAR official John Beaton of heavily favouring Celtic throughout the afternoon, with some even branding it one of the worst officiating performances in recent Old Firm memory.
That anger led to speculation over whether the SFA would take action against Walsh following the controversy.
However, despite all the noise surrounding the match and the growing pressure from Rangers supporters, there has been no suspension or ban issued against the referee by the Scottish FA.
In fact, Walsh remains available for upcoming fixtures, while the SFA have also not publicly acknowledged any errors regarding the key incidents from the derby.
That outcome has only added more frustration among Rangers fans, many of whom feel the officiating decisions at Parkhead effectively destroyed any remaining hope their side had of salvaging something from the title race.
For Celtic supporters though, none of the controversy matters now.
The Hoops took the three points, moved right back into the title picture and now know that victories in their final matches could still deliver another dramatic league triumph under Martin O’Neill.
Nafisa
