NafisaRangers and Celtic were once again eclipsed by a slew of controversies as they fought to a 1-1 draw at Ibrox on Sunday.
Most of the turmoil occurred off the pitch, with the visiting supporters seen using pyrotechnics and the home fans unveiling a shotgun-themed tifo and hurling objects.
On the field, VAR took center stage, nullifying a Nico Raskin header before reversing an offside decision to permit Adam Idah’s equalizer.
Nick Walsh let down by VAR:
Daizen Maeda was flagged offside as he seemed to obstruct Liam Kelly when Idah scored, but the call was overturned upon review.
Keith Hackett was left puzzled, as he believed the initial offside decision was correct.
The former FIFA official argued that the Japan international was offside and impeding play as the equalizer slipped past Kelly.
“It was the correct call of offside,” Hackett said of the original decision.
“The player in the offside position is interfering with the goalkeeper’s sight line.”
Ferguson faltering at Ibrox
Still without a home victory since his interim appointment, Barry Ferguson’s tenure in this role is gradually nearing its conclusion.
He will likely depart at the season’s end once the American takeover is completed, but he can carry forward some memorable moments, such as the victory at Celtic and defeating Fenerbahce in the Europa League.
While Rangers and Celtic are expected to dominate in Scotland, fortune plays a role, and Brendan Rodgers benefited from it as this goal was upheld.
With the championship already clinched, the goal and subsequent draw prevented Rangers from achieving three consecutive Old Firm victories at Ibrox on Sunday.
The 49ers Enterprises and Andrew Cavenagh are inching closer to an announcement in Govan, and significant reforms are necessary to secure future supremacy.
If executed properly, these critical matches and others may not hinge on a single VAR decision, which has frequently been the case under Willie Collum and his beleaguered team.
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