Dermot Gallagher has put Celtic and Rangers' weekend penalties under his Ref Watch microscope as he delivered his opinion on the two 'handball' incidents.
Aberdeen's Jayden Richardson was penalised in a decision BBC pundit Michael Stewart branded as 'ludicrous' while Livingston were punished in a call that he labelled 'extremely harsh'. Both James Tavernier and Giorgos Giakoumakis missed their efforts from 12-yards as Giovanni van Bronckhorst's men ran out 4-1 winners over Jim Goodwin's men at Ibrox on Saturday with Ange Postecoglou and Co overcoming a potential tricky trip to the Tony Macaroni Arena 24 hours later with a 3-0 triumph.
VAR made its big debut in Scotland last weekend with the technology in force for the second time in this round of fixtures. Some of the big decisions this weekend sparked debate and now former English Premier League whistler Gallagher has broken down the two spot-kick talking points from the clashes involving the Old Firm duo this weekend as well as looking at Alfredo Morelos' VAR goal reviews.
READ MORE: Michael Stewart in 'ludicrous' call as he runs rule over Rangers and Celtic penalty decisions
Speaking on his Ref Watch segment on Sky Sports, looking at the Celtic decision first, he said: "I think it is one that we see in the Premier League regularly. The ball does strikes the hand. No doubt about it.
"The refereee can't see it because body is obscured. It goes to VAR, he gives a goal-kick - I can understand he can't see it - and when he is sent to the VAR.
"This is what he can't see [Willie Collum]. It is above the shoulder and that is what we talk about. Anything up there, Rob. They've been consistent in the Premier League and the SPFL. They've given them."
On the Rangers decision, he added: "It falls into the same bracket doesn't it?. He puts his arm out and I think he actually moves his hand to the ball as well. It is almost like he doesn't expect the ball to bounce up."
Asked if it comes off the leg first, he continued: "It does. But I think the difference there is his arm wasn't there, it moved towards the ball. The referee probably thought has come off him but the VAR said he's actually moved towards the ball."
Morelos also had the ball in the net twice for Rangers in the Ibrox win over Aberdeen. One goal was chalked off with the other one standing. On the offside goal, Gallagher said: "Given offside on the pitch. VAR confirmed offside as they check every goal. Very, very tight but correct. Assistant flags."
On the goal that stood, he added: "Interesting because I think Morelos thought he was offside. When you see it he isn't. He is actually behind the ball. Onside."
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