ANTHONY RALSTON dived like a GOALKEEPER when the ball struck his arm in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers.
That’s according to both on-field referee Nick Walsh and assistant VAR Andrew Dallas who were both in agreement with VAR Steven McLean that a penalty to Rangers was the correct decision.
10-men Gers were given the chance to level the semi-final clash with James Tavernier stepping up from 12 yards to cancel out Johnny Kenny‘s first half opener.
The skipper slotted it home but Celtic eventually came out on top in extra-time through their captain Callum McGregor.
Furious Rangers chiefs demanded answers from Collum and the SFA after Auston Trusty was allowed to stay on the pitch despite kicking Jack Butland in the face.
But he wasn’t the only Celtic star who Rangers fans and players believed should have been sent off in the clash.
read more old firm stories
‘DANGEROUS PRECEDENT’
Rangers chief Thelwell demands fresh round of talks with SFA
FIRM DEALS
Free bets and new customer offers for upcoming Rangers and Celtic fixtures
Many believed Ralston deserved a second yellow card after the denying a shot with his arm.
However, refs chief Collum has backed the officials for getting both the Ralston and Trusty incidents CORRECT.
He explained on the latest Sky Sports VAR Review show: “We don’t think that this is the natural way an outfield player would normally stop a shot.
“It hits a punishable part of the arm.
“We don’t think this is a deliberate handball, we think it’s a punishable handball.
“Should it be a second yellow card? The considerations here are, is this denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity? This is not an obvious goalscoring opportunity for us.”
How the officials reached an agreement on the major flashpoint has become clear with the release of the VAR audio from key moments in the clash.
On the Ralston incident, the full audio reads:
AVAR: Check where that hits.
VAR: Check please, yeah.
I need a better angle, please.
Referee: Penalty.
VAR: Hang on, what for?
AVAR: Given on-field. Handball. Anthony Ralston.
Referee: (To the players) Listen to what I’m saying to the VAR.
He behaves like a goalkeeper and he makes a diving save. It’s a shot.
Go away, I’m going to yellow card you (to player). Listen to me, listen to me, he dives like a goalkeeper.
So the impact is to stop a goal with his arm. For me, it’s a penalty. VAR will check, okay?
VAR: Andy, describe what you’re seeing for me here, please. It’s a shot towards goal
AVAR: Slow it down frame by frame, stop at point of contact please. He dives like a goalkeeper and for me the ball hits below the t-shirt line on the elbow.
VAR: Correct.
Referee: James (Tavernier) and Callum (McGregor) come here.
VAR: Confirming on-field decision of penalty, just checking A.P.P. (Attacking Phase of Play) Nick.
Referee: As described, it’s a penalty, no cards, because that’s the laws of the game.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
‘NEW ERA BEGINS’
Rangers hero takes training with new club just yards from Ibrox
CHECKING OUT
‘Time is right’ as family to sell award-winning Scots hotel and restaurant
Raskin confronts Walsh and asks the whistler why the defender isn’t showed a second yellow card.
Referee: It’s the laws of the game. If you don’t understand that, that’s not my problem, it’s yours.”
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
