Glasgow Derbies, traditionally explosive and dramatic affairs, continued to live up to their reputation this weekend.

Kyogo further etched his name into the folklore of the fixture, scoring his sixth goal in this high-profile match. But, as is often the case, the game will be remembered for more than just the scoreline.

Kyogo Celtic
Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Rangers v Celtic – Ibrox, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – September 3, 2023 Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi reacts REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

The match’s most talked-about moment came when Rangers thought they had found an opening goal, before Kyogo netted.

Lagerbielke lingered on the ball a little too long, attempting to play it back to Joe Hart. Dessers, seizing the opportunity, made contact with Lagerbielke before touching the ball. In real-time, it appeared a legitimate challenge, but the Video Assistant Referee decided otherwise, inviting the referee for a second look before he ruled out the goal due to a foul.

Neil McCann, former Rangers player and now pundit, expressed his dissent on BBC Sportscene. He acknowledged the rule that the referee and VAR filled but disagreed with its with the decision.

“I think this should stand, I want to direct you to Lagerbielke and Callum McGregor’s reaction here. They’re not looking at the referee! Callum McGregor’s turning away in disgust. He continued, “I know we’re going to see another angle in slow motion where Dessers gets in front. The law would suggest if you stop a player’s forward motion, the kick, it’s a foul. I disagree with that.”
Rangers have since decided to lodge a formal complaint about the rule being correctly applied after Bobby Madden had to step in and clarify why the VAR’s decision was consistent with the rulebook.

1 COMMENT

  1. Neil knows it’s a rule but he doesn’t like the rule.
    Wait until Neil doesn’t like the Offside rule.

    Such an odd way to attempt to get a goal allowed.

    Who needs VAR just ask Neil.

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