Another weekend of Scottish Premiership action, another round of fixtures with controversy.
There are always talking points and it seemed inevitable there would be from the top-of-the table clash as Aberdeen took their 100 per cent record to the only other side with one in Celtic.
So it proved with a classic of a match ending in 2-2 after a stirring comeback from the Dons, and either side could have won it at the death but were denied by a combination of referee Nick Walsh and VAR.
St Johnstone’s home win over Ross County was a tousy affair with the visitors having TWO men sent off while Hibs saw captain Joe Newell red carded before a late collapse from the ten men handed Dundee United three points.
Sky Sports’ Ref Watch has been poring over the incidents and here are the verdicts from former English whistler Dermot Gallagher.
Celtic vs Aberdeen
Duk was at the heart of things after coming on as a sub for Aberdeen, first thinking he had fired in a winner before blocking a certain Celtic goal on the line, with appeals claiming he had used his arm.
Duk disallowed Aberdeen goal: “This is where VAR works well because without doubt, when I saw this, I thought it was a goal. Then you see it clearly comes off his arm into the net directly. That’s key, because it’s not deliberate, but it goes directly into the net off his arm.”
Idah disallowed Celtic goal: “It’s the right decision. Alistair Johnston backs into the goalkeeper. If you watch the full back as Idah goes to head the ball, he backs into the goalkeeper and knocks him, so it’s the correct decision.”
Duk block on line: “It hits him in the chest. It hits him in the midriff. It’s a great block and you can see why he’s celebrating. I think this was the last minute. He throws himself at it but he doesn’t handle it. It’s checked by the VAR and cleared.”
Joe Newell red card for Hibs vs Dundee United
Joe Newell got his marching orders for Hibs on 85 minutes as they led 2-1, his teammates going on to concede twice in stoppage time to lose the game.
Gallagher said: “Yeah, yellow card. Goes through the player, doesn’t get the ball. Already on a yellow card so unfortunately for him gets sent off.”
St Johnstone vs Ross County
County shot themselves in the foot as they lost 3-0, seeing both Elijah Campbell and Charlie Telfer sent off.
Elijah Campbell red card: “It’s a yellow card offence, that’s the thing. Somebody said to me ‘why’s he being sent off for that?’ I said ‘well, he’s already on a yellow card.’ He just stamps in on him and catches him on the top of the foot. Goes with the studs and catches him.”
Charlie Telfer red: “I think even the player knows that, the player knows what he’s done. Probably doesn’t mean to go in like that, but does catch him high and late with his studs.”