It was debut weekend for VAR in Scotland with many key decisions coming into focus.
Hearts and Celtic played out a thriller at Tynecastle as Ange Postecoglou's side ran out 4-3 winners on the day. It was a drama filled afternoon in the capital with a number of big talking points for the new technology system to analyse. Hearts were awarded two penalties with one retaken, Anthony Ralston had a goal ruled out and Michael Smith had the Hoops claiming for a spot-kick of their own for a handball. All four key moments were put under Dermot Gallagher's microscope as he delivered opinions on them all.
The former English Premier League whistler also gave his verdict on the red card handed to Livingston at Ibrox as Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Rangers dropped points with John Lundstram rescuing a share of the spoils in added time. The 1-1 draw leaves them trailing Celtic by four points in the race for the Premiership title.
READ MORE: Conor Hazard keeping Celtic 'dream' alive as he targets number one spot after Helsinki heroics
Incident 1 - Michael Smith 'handball'
"I think in the Premier League we have seen these given. It bounces up and his arm is out.
"In Scotland they have a slightly different tolerance level to where the arms are. They are not massively out but when you see it here. Premier League that is likely to be given. I think in the Premier League that is a penalty."
Incident 2 - Anthony Ralston goal
"The referee gives a foul early. If you watch the replay you can see the referee whistle very early, long before the ball goes in. People say it wasn't offside but he doesn't give offside. That is why it didn't get checked.
"They checked if it was offside because they do as a matter of cause because it has went in the net. They check to see whether it is not a foul but the referee had whistled so it eliminated one anyhow."
Incident 3 - Hearts penalty 1
"Definitely. The clue is the ball. You see it come in and it goes forward. [Cameron] Carter-Vickers plays the man. It is a penalty. "
Incident 4 - Hearts penalty 2
"The referee gives a penalty on field. He gave a penalty against [Moritz] Jenz. It is a similar tackle. The ball comes in and the Hearts player gets there first. Jenz catches him and the referee gives a penalty on field.
"What is interesting is what developed afterwards and was a very, very good spot from VAR. This is where it works. When they did take the penalty you think who has done what?
"When you look the player who puts the ball in the net [Josh Ginnelly] was the player in the area. What they talk about is impact. He's in the penalty area and puts the ball in the net. He is gaining a materialistic advantage from the outcome of being too far forward so it is retaken."
Rangers vs Livingston red card
"I thought it was a yellow card. I honestly thought it was a yellow card. But when you see it again, I fully agree with VAR.
"The referee thought yellow card as well and when he is sent to the screen, you can see the VAR has picked up what I don't see.
"That is the amazing thing about the VAR. On field decision is yellow card. My decision in real time would be yellow card but seeing that I have to say the VAR has done him a massive favour. It is definitely a red card."
READ NEXT:
- Ange Postecoglou's powerful Celtic title speech surfaces as Josip Juranovic quip lands death stare
- Celtic player ratings v Hearts as Giakoumakis and Jenz have contrasting afternoon during VAR chaos
- Ange Postecoglou delivers Celtic penalty stat and sends VAR warning to Premiership managers
- Celtic and Rangers hit with UEFA fines after Champions League fan incidents
- Celtic triumph over Hearts as Forrest continues comeback arc in classic - three things we learned
