Celtic won 3-1. But the aftermath is all about two decisions. The Old Firm at Celtic Park ended with Daizen Maeda scoring an overhead kick for the ages. The title race is still alive. Rangers FC will finish third. But Rangers fans aren’t talking about Maeda’s goal. They’re talking about the refereeing.
The offside controversy
Celtic’s equalizer came from Yang Hyun-jun in the 23rd minute. But Benjamin Nygren was standing directly in front of Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland — in an offside position. Under IFAB Law 11, an attacker in an offside position is penalized if they “clearly obstruct the goalkeeper’s line of vision.” Referee Nick Walsh and VAR official John Beaton allowed the goal to stand. Rangers fans were furious. “If Rangers were given the goals for offside that Celtic get then Rangers would be 20 points clear of Celtic,” blasted Scott Gowers from Edinburgh.
Former FIFA referee speaks out
Keith Hackett, the former PGMOL chief and FIFA referee, was baffled. “I really am surprised this goal was allowed to stand,” Hackett told Football Insider. “It appeared to me that there was a Celtic player in an offside position in the line of the vision of the goalkeeper, and therefore interfering with play, interfering with his opponent. Goal should not stand.” Even Pat Nevin admitted the rules could have justified disallowing the goal. “If you read the rules as written, he is unsighted,” Nevin said on BBC Sportsound.
The red card that wasn’t shown
Then there was Alistair Johnston’s challenge on Mikey Moore. Studs up. Contact on the ankle. Pundit Michael Stewart called it “wild” that VAR didn’t intervene. “How the VAR can look at the replays and not see a red card has occurred is wild,” Stewart posted on X. Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd agreed. “It’s a red card all day long.”
The other side of the coin
Celtic fans had their own grievance. A fan clip appeared to show Mikey Moore striking Callum McGregor off the ball — with no VAR check. The inconsistency is what frustrates everyone.
The bottom line
Celtic FC won 3-1. The better team won on the day. But two major decisions have Rangers fans screaming conspiracy. A former FIFA referee says the goal should not have stood. Pundits say a red card was missed. The debate isn’t going away.
