Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher assesses the controversial moments in the Scottish Premiership at the weekend, including a red for Motherwell’s Dan Casey, plus incidents against Kilmarnock, St Mirren, Ross County, Hearts, St Johnstone, Rangers and Celtic.
Motherwell 1-1 Kilmarnock
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Ref Watch analyzes the decision to dismiss Motherwell’s Dan Casey and Kilmarnock’s penalty appeal.
Incident: Now on to the red card controversy in the Scottish Championship, with John McGinn, whose brother plays for Motherwell, calling it the worst decision he has ever seen.
Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell says he is “concerned” with the referees after Dan Casey was sent off by referee Chris Graham for an altercation with Kilmarnock’s Danny Armstrong, despite VAR instructing him to review the decision.
DERMOTT SAYS: I don’t think it’s a red card at all. I think the ref believes he grabbed him by the throat. The VAR quite rightly warned him to go and check.
But what they didn’t do well is they showed it in slow motion and show the end of it so they don’t show him grabbing her in the middle of the chest.It looks like she grabbed him by the throat, I don’t think he did .
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Watch all the drama as Motherwell and Kilmarnock draw in the Scottish Premiership
Incident: Kilmarnock were angry that Graham didn’t give a penalty after Andy Halliday caught Brad Lyon’s leg, were they right to be angry?
DERMOTT SAYS: I think it’s a really interesting decision because if you watch the replay, the player (Halliday) plays the ball, he gets there first, and then the defender gets to his feet to bring him down. Otherwise, of course , is not a violation.
STEPHEN WARNOCK SAYS: I am confused. This is a case of VAR leaving them and not stepping in. The whole process of that game will be reviewed by Martin Atkinson. I’m sure he’ll say there’s a lot of work to do.
Ross County 1-2 St Mirren
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Watch highlights from the Scottish Premiership match between Ross County and St Mirren
Incident: St Mirren’s Scott Tanser was not happy to be sent off by referee Ian Snedden for a second booking after diving on Ross County’s Aidan Denholm.
DERMOTT SAYS: As a referee, you don’t prejudge, you prepare. The first touch is hard, and his (Tanser’s) instinct is to win the ball back quickly. He has already caught the player received, so must leave.
Incident: St Mirren’s Richard Taylor clatters Ross County’s Eamonn Brophy in the box.
DERMOTT SAYS: I don’t see how it can be anything other than a penalty. I say that because if you look at the striker, he’s going to head the ball. He’s obviously knocked out and that affects the decision on the result.
WARNOCK SAYS: So clumsy, what are you doing? You have to be aware of everything around you. You can’t just hang on to someone’s back.
SUE SMITH SAYS: He recognizes her, gets attached to her, then goes down as if she has hurt herself.
Incident: Then two from St Mirren.This for Josh Reid’s handball, but tell us why it was never going to be given.
DERMOTT SAYS: The player is on the floor and he cannot get out of the way of the ball. His hands are grounded and the ball hits his hand. As long as his hand is grounded, it will not be a penalty.
Incident: As for this one. huge calls as Killian Phillips is bundled out by Jordan White. St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson was convinced it was a penalty and was booked for his appeals?
DERMOTT SAYS: The referee looks the best. If it had been given, I don’t think VAR would have overturned it. But the referee is looking straight at it, so for whatever reason he feels it’s not a penalty.
Rangers 1-0 “Dundee”.
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Watch highlights from Rangers v Dundee in the Scottish Premier League
Incident: Rangers goal against Dundee saved by harsh VAR call for offside Did they get the decision right?
DERMOTT SAYS: When you look at this, it’s a great call that they don’t flag earlier. If he had, the transfer is stopped. Really good job by the officials.
“Dundee” 0-0 “Celtic”.
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Watch highlights from Dundee United v Celtic in the Scottish Premiership
Incident: A couple of penalties were shouted by Celtic fans for a handball on Glenn Middleton.
DERMOTT SAYS: I don’t think he has a chance.” His hands are at his sides. He can’t do anything about it. I watched this game a lot and the wind was terrible. As a referee you have to take the conditions into account, but you can’t let the players take advantage of them.
Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone
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Ref Watch takes a look back at Hearts v St Johnstone
Incident: Goal disallowed for offside against St Johnstone after VAR review, explain this to any doubters, Dermot.
DERMOTT SAYS: I think this is a great point, because the player has moved from the offside position to retrieve the ball, the hardest part for the assistant to spot.
Incident: Then St Johnstone’s appeal for a handball on James Penrice, given after ref John Beaton suggested a move to the monitor.Was this a good tackle or a tough call?
DERMOTT SAYS: I think it’s a tough call. It’s really hitting his elbow and he’s running. They’ve been very consistent in the Scottish Championship , then they will give a 11-meter penalty. It’s been hard and fast, it’s been from the first week until now, and it will continue until the end of the season.
