Celtic supporters let out a huge sigh of relief when Reo Hatate struck an equaliser in the closing moments against Rangers on Sunday.It was yet another dramatic late twist from Martin O’Neill’s men, with Dujon Sterling penalised for handball after John Beaton was advised by VAR to review the incident on the pitchside monitor.Dermot Gallagher commended the SPFL for being ‘absolutely consistent’ in their interpretation of the handball law, insisting it was a clear-cut penalty for Celtic at Ibrox.
“Absolutely consistent with what they have done all season,” said Gallagher. “They are 100% consistent on the handball application in Scotland. No doubt about it.”
Predictably, there have been complaints about the spot-kick decision, including from Ally McCoist, but Gallagher was quick to dismiss the criticism and outline why the award was justified.
Dermot Gallagher on instantly knowing Celtic would be awarded a penalty against Rangers:
The handball law can often appear unclear; at times it’s tricky to distinguish what constitutes handball and what does not.
Fortunately, on this occasion, the call was straightforward, and even the Rangers players on the field offered little protest, as a draw proved a fair outcome in the Glasgow derby.Gallagher revealed he was watching the match live and, after viewing ‘one replay’, immediately sensed what the outcome would be, as he explained on Sky Sports News’ Ref Watch.
“Absolutely consistent with what they have done all season,” said Gallagher. “I thought the goalkeeper had saved it, at first.
“I saw one replay, and I thought ‘this was going to be a penalty’, because, you ask for consistency, they are 100% consistent on the handball application in Scotland. No doubt about it.
“Every time that happens. The referee always points to the spot. Or if the referee doesn’t see it, the VAR alerts him like he has done here.”
Jay Bothroyd attempts to defend Dujon Sterling:
Former Premier League striker Jay Bothroyd attempted to rationalise Sterling’s actions and the reasoning behind them, given that the Rangers defender prevented a clear scoring chance.
Bothroyd suggested Sterling may have expected goalkeeper Jack Butland to handle the situation, but when that didn’t materialise, he instinctively moved to shield himself as the ball travelled towards him.
“I mean, you can’t really disagree with it,” added Bothroyd. “The consistency in the SPFL has made that. Everyone knows there is no grey area at all.“The only thing I would say on that is when you are in that situation, it’s one of those crosses where the keeper is there.
“You think, ‘he is going to come out.’ The forward is there; he is going to come in and attack the ball. Then the defender is trying to get anything to block it. You don’t know where your arms are going to be. It’s not a reaction.
“People will say, ‘Why are his hands there, though?’ His hands are there because he is trying to protect himself and block the shots at the same time. The consistency makes it the right decision.”