Scottish FA head of referees Willie Collum has highlighted three controversial incidents involving Rangers in the opening four weeks of the new season but concluded officials got the decisions correct.
But he was also critical of referee Matthew MacDermid’s body language in the lead up to what he believes was a correctly awarded League Cup goal scored by striker Cyriel Dessers against St Johnstone.
Collum highlighted eight controversial incidents in The VAR Review, a new monthly show on the Scottish FA’s YouTube channel, concluding that he was “content with the start we’ve made”.
However, he said that Celtic should have been awarded a penalty in their 4-0 win over Kilmarnock, while Dundee United ought to have had a spot-kick for hand ball in their 2-2 draw with Dundee – both on the opening weekend.
Hearts 0-0 Rangers – 3 August
Hearts thought they should have had a penalty when Yan Dhanda‘s cross struck Connor Barron‘s elbow at Tynecastle.
Collum says this incident “shows the direction of travel we want to take with handball” since he took charge, highlighting the short distance between the two players and Barron’s arm being tight to his body.
“There was a lack of understanding of many hand balls last season,” he said. “Probably last season, that would have been awarded.
“But, for us, the key point is that the arm is tucked into the body. The player does not make his body bigger.”
Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone – 17 August
Dessers’ goal was controversial at the time, with St Johnstone players and manager Craig Levein claiming their defenders had been distracted by referee MacDermid signalling for a free-kick in their favour.
“Here, the referee probably doesn’t display good body language,” Collum admitted. “His body language when the challenge is made is edging towards a free-kick.
“But he correctly delays the whistle, he correctly communicates so the VAR is aware of what he intends doing if a goal is scored and, when the ball hits the net, he then blows his whistle for what he deems to be a defensive free-kick.
“VAR checks and realises the Rangers player hasn’t committed a foul and they therefore recommend an on-field review.
“Apart from the body language, the correct process was followed and ultimately the correct decision was reached.”
Collum also pointed out that the audio recording disproved claims that the referee had blown his whistle before the goal was scored.
Rangers 6-0 Ross County – 24 August
Another Dessers goal, with Ross County this time claiming it should have been disallowed because Rangers midfielder Tom Lawrence had fouled Connor Randall in the build-up.
“It is a clear foul for me the referee has missed on-field,” Collum conceded. “It is a reckless tackle by the Rangers player. But VAR is not there to re-referee the match.”
Collum points out that “there are far too many passes” between the foul and the goal, it therefore is not part of the same attacking phase of play and VAR was unable to intervene.