Rangers told Celtic penalty snub was wrong call after SFA showdown as audio reveals NO mention of offside

After listening to the VAR tape, Rangers argue that Willie Collum was incorrect to not penalize Alistair Johnston for handballing, and that the officials made no mention of offside.

After criticizing Hampden beaks for not making it available until four days following the derby match against Celtic, Ibrox executives met with the SFA today. The Gers wanted to know how on-field referee Nick Walsh and VAR Collum came to the decision not to give them a Parkhead penalty.

In a statement earlier this week, the Light Blues said they were “concerned at the motivations” of the governing body sharing a still image of Abdallah Sima being offside before challenging Johnston in the Celtic box and canadian appearing to handle the ball. Former whistler Bobby Madden explained on social media that if Collum had thought a penalty should have been awarded, the game would have restarted with a free-kick for the offside rather than a Celtic goal kick.

The SFA has not to comment, but according to Record Sport, Hampden executives vehemently disagree with the club’s version of the meeting with Allan. Johnston seemed to smash the ball out of play during a challenge with Abdallah Sima, but an offside ruling against the Brighton star on loan in the build-up rendered the incident meaningless.

But the Ibrox board have suspected since the weekend that the offside infringement was not spotted at the time of their spot-kick appeal and have been looking for an explanation as to why Collum did not send Walsh to the monitor for a second look at the Johnston incident.

Now they insist their suspicions have been proved correct after finally being granted an audience by the SFA to hear the VAR recording. Hampden sources, though, are adamant the penalty appeal was a subjective call and insist the offside aspect was being checked in the background as Collum talked through his view of the handball claim.

With neither side prepared to back down, Rangers have called for the public to be given the chance to tune in and make up their own minds. A club spokesperson said: “Rangers FC today met with Scottish FA officials to discuss the VAR handball call and subsequent miscommunications from Saturday’s Old Firm match. From the meeting, there was an overriding consensus the VAR decision of no handball was incorrect.

“After listening to the audio, I can see that there was no discussion of a possible offside at the time the handball was decided. Rangers are also quite unhappy about the hurried nature of the incorrect no-handball call.

“As would be customary in England for such a decision, Rangers has asked to the Scottish FA to release the audio and explain this decision, as well as future difficult decisions involving all clubs, to the public.

“The club expects the Scottish FA will respond to a number of particular demands it has made in order to better

matters going forward.”

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