Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher assesses the controversial moments from the weekend’s Scottish Premiership action, including a red for Motherwell’s Dan Casey, plus incidents involving Kilmarnock, St Mirren, Ross County, Hearts, St Johnstone, Rangers and Celtic.
Motherwell 1-1 Kilmarnock
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Ref Watch analyse the decision to send off Motherwell’s Dan Casey and Kilmarnock’s appeal for a penalty
INCIDENT: Now to the red card controversy in the Scottish Premiership where John McGinn – whose brother plays for Motherwell – called this the worst decision he’s ever seen.
Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell says he is “fed up” with referees after Dan Casey was sent off by referee Chris Graham for an altercation with Kilmarnock’s Danny Armstrong, despite VAR instructing him to review the decision.
DERMOT SAYS: I don’t think it’s a red card at all. I think the referee believes he has grabbed him by the throat. The VAR has quite rightly alerted him to go over and check.
But what they didn’t do well is they showed it in slow motion and they show the end of it so they don’t show that he’s caught him halfway down his chest. It looks like he’s grabbed his throat, I don’t think he has.
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Watch all the drama as Motherwell and Kilmarnock drew in the Scottish Premiership
INCIDENT: Kilmarnock were furious that Graham didn’t award them a penalty after Andy Halliday caught Brad Lyons foot. Were they right to be angry? Was it a penalty?
DERMOT SAYS: I think this is a really interesting decision because if you watch the replay, the player [Halliday] plays the ball, he gets there first and then the defender stands on his foot to knock him over. It’s certainly not a foul the other way.
STEPHEN WARNOCK SAYS: I’m puzzled. This is a case of VAR letting them down and not intervening. The whole process of that game will be under review by Martin Atkinson. I’m sure he’ll be saying there’s a lot of work to be done.
Ross County 1-2 St Mirren
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Watch highlights from the Scottish Premiership match between Ross County and St Mirren
INCIDENT: St Mirren’s Scott Tanser was not happy he was sent off by referee Ian Snedden for a second booking after diving in on Ross County’s Aidan Denholm. Does he only have himself to blame here?
DERMOT SAYS: As a referee, you don’t pre-judge but you prepare. The first touch is heavy and his [Tanser’s] instinct is he has to win the ball back quickly. He’s stretched for and he’s caught the player. He was already on a yellow card so he has to go.
INCIDENT: St Mirren’s Richard Taylor clatters into Ross County’s Eamonn Brophy inside the penalty area.
DERMOT SAYS: I don’t see how that can be anything other than a penalty. The reason I say that is that if you look at the forward, he’s about to head the ball. He’s clearly knocked off and it has an impact on the decision and the outcome.
WARNOCK SAYS: It’s so clumsy isn’t it, like what are you doing? You’ve got to be aware of everything around you. You can’t just bundle into the back of someone.
SUE SMITH SAYS: He knows himself, he bundles into him then he goes down as if he’s hurt himself.
INCIDENT: Then two from St Mirren. This one for handball on Josh Reid – but tell us why this was never going to be given?
DERMOT SAYS: The player is on the floor and he can’t get out of the way of the ball. His arms are grounded and the ball strikes him on the arm. So long as his arm is grounded, it’s not going to be a penalty.
INCIDENT: What about this one – huge appeals as Killian Phillips is bundled over by Jordan White. St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson was adamant this was a penalty and got booked for his appeals. Should it have been given?
DERMOT SAYS: The referee has got the best view. If it had been given, I don’t think VAR would be overturning it. But the referee is looking straight at it, so for whatever reason he feels it’s not a penalty.
Rangers 1-0 Dundee
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Watch highlights from the Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Dundee
INCIDENT: Rangers’ goal against Dundee survived a tight VAR call for offside. Did they get the right decision?
DERMOT SAYS: When you look at this, it’s a great call that they don’t flag earlier. If he had, the move is terminated so it’s a good spot. It’s really good work from the officials.
Dundee Utd 0-0 Celtic
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Watch highlights from the Scottish Premiership match between Dundee United and Celtic
INCIDENT: There were a few penalty shouts from Celtic fans for handball on Glenn Middleton. Anything in this?
DERMOT SAYS: I don’t think he’s got any chance whatsoever. His arms are down by his side. He can’t do anything about it. I watched a lot of this game and the wind was horrific. You have to be mindful of the conditions as a referee, but you can’t let players take advantage of them.
Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone
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Ref Watch look back on the match between Hearts and St Johnstone
INCIDENT: Hearts had a goal disallowed for offside against St Johnstone following a VAR check. Explain this one to any doubters, Dermot?
DERMOT SAYS: I think this is a great spot as the player has gone from a fractional offside position to being back onside to retreive the ball. It’s the most difficult one to spot for an assistant.
INCIDENT: Then a St Johnstone penalty appeal for handball on James Penrice which was given after VAR recommended referee John Beaton go to the monitor. Was this a good intervention or a harsh call?
DERMOT SAYS: I think it’s a tough call. It does strike him on the elbow, but his arm is already there and he’s running. Does he see the ball? In the Scottish league, they’ve been very consistent. If it happens next week, they will give a penalty as well. It’s been hard and fast. It’s happened from week one to now, and it will keep happening until the end of the season.