Celtic’s victory over Rangers last weekend has created a couple of key talking points that have cropped up in the post-match analysis of a pivotal day in the title race.
John Lundstram’s red card tackle on Alistair Johnston in first-half stoppage time hit the headlines. The former Sheffield United midfielder was sent off following a VAR review from Willie Collum after initially being shown a yellow card.
Almost universally, pundits on Sky Sports agreed the 30-year-old deserved an early bath for his challenge, apart from Kenny Miller, who proceeded to have a meltdown live on air.
Further down the line, Matt O’Riley won Celtic a penalty in the wake of being clipped by Mohamed Diomande in the penalty area before stepping up and seeing his spot-kick saved by Jack Butland.
Like any Glasgow Derby, figures on either side of the divide will argue the toss about key decisions, which only add to the post-mortem process.
Now, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has had their say on both calls on a day when Celtic took a step closer to winning the title.
Dermot Gallagher’s verdict on key Celtic vs Rangers incidents
Kicking off with the Lundstram red card, Gallagher believes that Collum made the correct decision this time around, stating [Sky Sports Ref Watch]: “We want VAR to intervene when there’s a clear mistake. You look at the images and the speed Lundstram comes at.
“Look at the distance he’s travelled. The ball has gone and he catches him on the ankle with his studs. I think that’s a red card. It’s hard to accept a yellow card when you’ve got VAR available to overturn it.”
Moving on to Celtic’s penalty award, the Irishman was non-commital over offering a conclusive verdict; however, he did agree that the right call was made in sending Collum to the monitor to decide for himself.
He added: “He thinks he clips his right foot, doesn’t he? It doesn’t leap out as the most blatant penalty but the VAR gives him the chance to have a look.
“I think it’s right he was sent to the monitor as it gives him the chance to have a look, and he can always stick by his original decision.”
Of course, nothing was to come from the penalty, though Collum did review the situation and stuck with his original choice, signifying sufficient contact from Diomande.
Either way, Celtic merited three points against Rangers and are now within touching distance of wrapping up the Scottish Premiership crown.