SFA panel analyses Celtic star Alistair Johnston elbow vs Rangers and Jefte 'red' call

01/03/2025 05:52 PM

Don Robertson made a handful of controversial decisions in Rangers’ destruction of Celtic on Thursday.

The referee refused to send off Alistair Johnston for what looked like an elbow on Ianis Hagi after the Canadian caught the goal scorer on the back of the head as they jumped for the ball.

From that particular incident Robertson allowed play to continue after Nick Walsh on VAR had initially made a check.

Now, though, the Key Match Incident panel, set up by the Scottish FA to pore over VAR and on-field ref decisions have ruled in favour of the whistler for his shout.

The SFA notes read: “The on-field decision was unanimously supported (5-0)”.

Another moment involved Brazilian defender Jefte who left Celtic player Nicolas Kuhn bloodied in a collision at the corner flag.

Celtic’s staff called for a red for the Gers star but again, following VAR’s analysis, a yellow was all she wrote for the 21-year-old.

Old Firm referee Don Robertson was unanimously backed

The same KMI panel felt Robertson had got it spot on again with the same notes: “The on-field decision was unanimously supported (5-0).”

The final call from the 90 minutes of action – where Hagi, Robin Propper and Danilo were the incredible match-winners – involved Kyogo up front for Celtic.

The Japanese international felt he had brought his side back into the game with a lobbed finish over Liam Kelly who played ahead of the injured Jack Butland.

But it was called offside by the linesman and Robertson.

Rangers blew Celtic away in an annihilation at Ibrox

VAR then drew the lines and checked the goal out and it was deemed, indeed, to be offside so was disallowed.

Once again, the KMI panel unanimously agreed that the decision was the right one and agreed.

Gers blew their rivals away in front of a packed out Ibrox crowd in what was a terrific showing from the squad.

Philippe Clement was buzzing at full-time and praised a duo in particular for their performance.

Nicolas Raskin and Ianis Hagi were also applauded for their outing.