The recent Old Firm clash between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox was an explosive encounter, both in terms of action on the pitch and the controversies surrounding refereeing decisions. Rangers’ emphatic victory over their rivals came amid a series of contentious calls from referee Don Robertson, which were reviewed and unanimously upheld by the Scottish FA’s Key Match Incident (KMI) panel.
Key Decisions:
- Alistair Johnston’s Alleged Elbow on Ianis Hagi
One of the most debated moments of the match occurred when Celtic’s Alistair Johnston appeared to catch Ianis Hagi on the back of the head with his arm while the two contested an aerial challenge. Hagi, who had opened the scoring for Rangers, seemed to be struck as Johnston rose for the ball. Calls for Johnston to be sent off echoed from the Rangers’ bench and sections of the crowd.
Referee Don Robertson, however, allowed play to continue, even after the incident was checked by VAR, led by Nick Walsh. The KMI panel, tasked with evaluating controversial refereeing and VAR decisions, later reviewed the incident and sided with Robertson. Their statement noted:
“The on-field decision was unanimously supported (5-0).”
Despite this ruling, the incident has sparked ongoing debate among fans and pundits, with some claiming that the physicality of Johnston’s challenge warranted a harsher punishment.
- Jefte’s Collision with Nicholas Kuhn
Another flashpoint came when Rangers’ Brazilian defender Jefte collided with Celtic forward Nicholas Kuhn near the corner flag. The challenge left Kuhn bloodied and visibly shaken, leading to demands from Celtic’s coaching staff for a red card.
Robertson, after consulting VAR, opted to issue Jefte a yellow card instead. This decision, too, was later reviewed by the KMI panel and upheld with the same decisive outcome:
“The on-field decision was unanimously supported (5-0).”
The panel’s backing of Robertson has not quelled the frustration of Celtic supporters, who believe that Jefte’s challenge endangered the safety of the player and deserved a more severe response.
- Kyogo’s Disallowed Goal
The final major controversy arose when Celtic’s star forward, Kyogo Furuhashi, appeared to have pulled a goal back with a delicate lob over Rangers’ goalkeeper Liam Kelly. The goal would have provided Celtic a glimmer of hope in a match that was slipping away. However, the linesman flagged for offside, and VAR subsequently confirmed the decision.
The KMI panel later reaffirmed the correctness of the offside ruling, noting that VAR’s calibration of the lines showed Kyogo to be marginally ahead of the last defender at the time of the pass. Their unanimous statement declared:
“The on-field decision was unanimously supported (5-0).”
For Celtic fans, the tight nature of the offside call only added to the sense of frustration on a night where very little went their way.
Rangers’ Dominant Performance
While the refereeing decisions dominated the post-match discussion, Rangers’ performance on the pitch was nothing short of sensational. Philippe Clement’s men delivered a clinical and commanding display, dismantling their rivals 3-0 in front of a raucous Ibrox crowd.
Goals from Ianis Hagi, Robin Propper, and Danilo secured the victory, with Clement’s tactical approach and the players’ execution drawing widespread praise. Hagi, in particular, was instrumental, not only scoring but also showcasing his creativity and work rate throughout the match. Nicolas Raskin also earned accolades for his tireless midfield display, controlling the tempo and breaking up Celtic’s attempts to find a foothold in the game.
Clement was effusive in his praise for the team after the match, singling out Hagi and Raskin for their standout contributions. The Belgian manager has been steadily transforming Rangers since his arrival, and this result will undoubtedly bolster his growing reputation among the club’s supporters.
Celtic’s Struggles
For Celtic, it was a night to forget. Brendan Rodgers’ side was outclassed in every department, struggling to match Rangers’ intensity and precision. The absence of key players, including Greg Taylor and Marco Tilio, combined with defensive lapses and a lack of cutting-edge in attack, left Celtic exposed.
Rodgers will now face mounting pressure to address the deficiencies that were so ruthlessly exploited by Rangers. While the officiating decisions will remain a point of contention for Celtic fans, the broader issues within the team’s performance cannot be ignored.
The KMI Panel’s Verdict
The post-match analysis from the KMI panel provides official backing to all of Don Robertson’s major decisions, from the Johnston-Hagi incident to Jefte’s yellow card and Kyogo’s offside call. In each case, the panel’s unanimous 5-0 rulings suggest a high level of confidence in both the referee and the VAR team.
However, unanimous support from the panel does little to assuage the frustrations of Celtic fans, who may feel that Robertson’s decisions contributed to their team’s difficulties. Old Firm matches are rarely without controversy, but the intensity of scrutiny in this particular clash underscores the high stakes and emotional weight of this historic rivalry.
Looking Ahead
For Rangers, this emphatic victory serves as a statement of intent under Philippe Clement, signaling that they are ready to challenge for silverware. The result will also buoy the squad’s confidence as they look to build momentum in domestic and European competitions.
For Celtic, the focus will now shift to regrouping and addressing the issues exposed at Ibrox. Brendan Rodgers faces the dual challenge of lifting his players’ spirits and devising a strategy to ensure such a defeat does not happen again. With both sides vying for supremacy in Scottish football, the fallout from this match will undoubtedly fuel the fire for their next encounter.