NafisaCeltic have launched a scathing attack on the match officials just minutes after suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat to Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final at Ibrox.
Derek McInnes’s side produced a dominant performance to book their place in the semi-finals, with captain Dan Neil scoring twice and new signing Kevin Kelsy also on the scoresheet. But the result has been completely overshadowed by a major first-half controversy that has left Celtic furious.
The flashpoint came when Rangers defender Olwethu Makhanya appeared to bring down Celtic striker Kasper Høgh inside the penalty area.
Replays showed clear contact as Høgh looked to get on the end of a through ball, yet referee Nick Walsh waved play on. VAR checked the incident but ultimately stuck with the on-field decision, much to the disbelief of the Celtic players and bench.
Within minutes of the final whistle, Celtic released an official statement expressing their deep dissatisfaction with the decision-making of both Walsh and the VAR team.
The club described the non-award of the penalty as “another example of the consistency issues that continue to plague Scottish football” and questioned how such a clear challenge inside the box could be ignored in one of the biggest fixtures of the season.
Celtic’s statement went further, suggesting the decision had a significant impact on the flow of the match. At the time of the incident the score was still 0-0, and the Hoops believe a penalty at that stage could have completely changed the complexion of the contest. Instead, Rangers grew in confidence, took the lead through Neil’s composed finish from the edge of the box, and never looked back.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Kelsy doubled the advantage with a clinical strike, before Neil added his second of the afternoon with another excellent effort to seal a comprehensive victory.
Rangers were well worth their win on the balance of play, controlling large periods of the game and limiting Celtic to very few clear-cut chances.
However, the penalty appeal remains the major talking point. While there is no confirmed evidence that VAR made a technical error in reviewing the footage, the visual of Makhanya’s challenge on Høgh has convinced many Celtic supporters that they were denied a stonewall spot-kick.
Social media was flooded with claims of “daylight robbery” as fans pointed to previous decisions they felt had gone against them in similar situations.
This is not the first time Celtic have raised concerns about officiating in high-profile matches, and today’s statement suggests the frustration is reaching boiling point. The club has called for greater transparency and consistency from the SFA’s refereeing department, particularly in matches of this magnitude.
Rangers, for their part, will care little about the controversy. McInnes claimed his first Old Firm victory as manager in emphatic fashion, and his side now progress to the semi-finals with momentum firmly behind them.
The two teams will meet again next weekend in the Premiership at Celtic Park, where the stakes will be just as high and the scrutiny on the officials even greater.
For Celtic, the focus now shifts to recovery and preparation for that return fixture. But the bitterness over today’s penalty decision is unlikely to fade quickly. In the eyes of the Hoops hierarchy and their supporters, this was more than just a heavy defeat — it was a game influenced by a major call that went against them in broad daylight.
Nafisa
