Don Robertson was the man in the middle as Rangers and Celtic met for the first time this season at Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership.
The whistler took charge of his second derby fixture after officiating the game last season in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park.
Like any edition of the fixture there were plenty of flashpoints, and here we take a look at the major calls that Robertson and his team had to deal with.
Early Matondo no goal
Rangers thought they had got off to the perfect start at Ibrox when Rabbi Matondo rolled home inside just one minute.
Striker Cyriel Dessers broke free from the Celtic defensive line before squaring to his attacking teammate who subsequently knocked home high into the roof of the net.
As Matondo celebrated the official had his flag in the air for offside and replays showed that the decision was correct as Dessers just went too early after Kemar Roofe’s flick on.
Roofe no goal just before the half hour mark
Rangers again had a goal ruled out on 28 minutes when striker Roofe fired home from close range. Again Dessers was involved in the build up and he was adjudged to have fouled Celtic defender Gustaf Lagerbielke as he robbed possession of the ball.
At the time of play, Robertson allowed play to continue and Dessers squared for Roofe who found the back of the net past Joe Hart.
After reviewing the goal VAR urged the referee to watch the incident on his monitor and a free-kick was subsequently given.
IFAB laws state “a free kick is awarded if a player commits any of the following offences against an opponent in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
• charges
• jumps at
• kicks or attempts to kick
• pushes
• strikes or attempts to strike (including head-butt)
• tackles or challenges
• trips or attempts to trip”
Looking at the rule in full, Robertson has decided to award the free kick on second viewing after adjudging Dessers to have challenged Lagerbielke in a careless and reckless manner.
Despite the decision looking soft on replays, you can see where both VAR and the referee have interpreted the foul from and going by the rules, the correct call was made.
VAR rules state “a video assistant referee (VAR) is a match official, with independent access to match footage, who may assist the referee only in the event of a ‘clear and obvious error’ or ‘serious missed incident’ in relation to: a. Goal/no goal b. Penalty/no penalty c. Direct red card (not second yellow card/caution) d. Mistaken identity (when the referee cautions or sends off the wrong player of the offending team).” With this in mind, VAR were correct to intervene after the goal was scored.
Kyogo goal just before half-time
After Rangers had two goals chalked off, Celtic then opened the scoring in the fixture just before the half-time interval.
Star striker Kyogo Furuhashi fired home in spectacular style to break the deadlock, but there were some queries by commentators Chris Sutton and Kenny Miller as to whether the Japanese international was offside.
Replays showed Kyogo was clearly onside and the goal correctly stood as Celtic took the lead heading into the break.
First yellow card given to Cantwell
Rangers midfielder Todd Cantwell was handed the first yellow card of the fixture after a challenge on Celtic winger Daizen Maeda who looked to break away at pace.
Cantwell scythed down the speedy attacker on the half-way line and replays showed the decision was current.
IFAB rules state “a player must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour including if a player commits in a reckless manner a direct free kick offence or commits any other offence which interferes with or stops a promising attack except where the referee awards a penalty kick for an offence which was an attempt to play the ball or for a challenge for the ball”.
Liam Scales booking
The Celtic defender was also rightfully booked on 78 minutes when he halted Abdallah Sima who looked to break at pace down the right flank. The booking was correct by Don Robertson, IFAB rules state a “player must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour including a caution which interferes with or stops a promising attack except”.
Cantwell vs Maeda penalty shout
Heading into the closing stages Rangers midfielder Todd Cantwell looked for a penalty when he went shoulder to shoulder with Daizen Maeda in the box.
Robertson allowed play to continue and VAR viewed the incident and decided not to order a review of the decision.
After viewing replays of the incident, Robertson’s decision looked the correct call. IFAB rules state “A penalty kick is awarded if a player commits a direct free kick offence inside their penalty area or off the field as part of play as outlined in Laws 12 and 13.”
A “charge” is included in the list of direct free kick offences, but it was clear that both players went together in a 50/50 fashion and there was no clear foul by Maeda in the incident. Cantwell’s reaction after the incident was an indicator that he too felt there was not much in the coming together.
Yang penalty call
Yang Hyun-Jun went down in a theatrical fashion in the dying stages in the box as Ridvan Yilmaz went in to challenge for the ball.
It looked a dive at the time on first viewing and replays backed that up. Robertson waved play on VAR agreed with his decision after a second look.
Yang could have been booked for his theatrics as IFAB rules state “a player must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour including if a player attempts to deceive the referee e.g. by feigning injury or pretending to have been fouled (simulation).”
