Rangers to demand answers from Scottish FA after controversial decision against Celtic

Rangers are to contact the Scottish FA to request clarity on a major refereeing decision in Sunday’s Old Firm clash at Ibrox.

Kyogo Furuhashi scored the only goal of the game for Celtic, allowing the defending champions to go into the international break top of the table and four points clear of their rivals after just four games.

Rangers believe the scoreline should have been different, and are bemused by the decision to disallow a first half goal from Kemar Roofe.

The striker had celebrated after burying a well-struck shot beyond Joe Hart and into the net. But referee Don Robertson was summed to the pitchside monitor to review a challenge by Cyriel Dessers on Gustaf Lagerbielke in the build-up. The Rangers forward had raced in to try and dispossess Lagerbielke after the Swede had been short in getting a pass away.

After watching replays, Robertson ruled that Dessers had committed a foul and ruled out the goal, to the disbelief of Rangers players.

The Ibrox club now want an explanation from Scottish FA head of referee operations about the thinking behind the decision.

The governing body has created a VAR review panel to help with understanding and decision-making after introducing the technology last year but the panel will only meet at certain points within the season and is to take an overview of the process, not make rulings on individual decisions after games.

In the aftermath of the game, former referees working in the media have been divided on the decision, with some believing Robertson got it wrong and others believing that he tripped Lagerbielke while the defender was in the process of playing the ball.

Speaking after the game, Rangers manager Michael Beale said: “The VAR decision I’m not sure about because I think that Cyriel puts his foot down and the boy actually kicks him.

“I think he’s a lucky boy, so I’m disappointed that goes against us. Having said that, there’s a lot of football to be played afterwards.”

The Scottish FA has been approached for comment.