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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Furious Kris Boyd rages at referee Don Robertson after Rangers vs Celtic VAR no goal

Kris Boyd has branded the decision to rule out Kemar Roofe's strike against Celtic as "shocking".

The Rangers favourite fumed in the Sky Sports studio after Don Robertson awarded a free-kick to Celtic after the major flashpoint.

Cyriel Dessers had robbed Gustaf Lagerbielke of the ball before squaring to Roofe to lash into the net.

However, after being advised to check the incident on the pitchside monitor by VAR Alan Muir, Robertson disallowed the goal.

Boyd was in disbelief over the call as he demanded Robertson should have been stronger to stick with his on-field decision.

"I don't think it needs cleared up. It's an absolutely shocking decision," said Boyd.

"Alan Muir, the VAR, has decided to call it back. You can see here Lagerbielke kicks the back of Dessers foot and I know it's in the action...

"If we are getting goals chopped off...all we hear is we want to see more goals, see more entertainment. That there is a goal.

"He [Lagerbielke] is caught on the ball, he goes to play it with his left foot when he should just clear it with his right foot, he swings it, Dessers takes it off him, he goes through on goal and Kemar Roofe finishes it magnificently.

"How that can be brought back for a foul is incredible.

"Don Robertson when he goes over there has got to be stronger. He has made the decision on field, he has got to be stronger as soon as he goes there."

James McFadden added: "I think the law is that if Lagerbielke is in the action of playing the ball and Dessers comes in and, not intentionally, stops him from playing it then technically it's a foul.

"I understand the frustration because as I watch it I think Lagerbielke has taken too long on the ball, Dessers does brilliant to press him.

"I don't think there is a great deal in it."

Ex- Celtic boss Neil Lennon agreed it should be a foul but admitted his former club were fortunate.

He said: "I just think the movement of Dessers across him is enough to knock Lagerbielke out of his stride.

"There is contact there and that makes Lagerbielke go down. Kris makes a valid point where it looks like he is kicking the back of his calf.

"I think Celtic are fortunate because he is dilly-dallying and Dessers has done very well but for me it is still a foul."

Poking fun at his punditry colleague, Boyd then added: "Lenny has actually said that with a straight face, let's go to the break..."

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