'Dessers gets in front of him' - Ex-PL referee insists Rangers' goal against Celtic should have stood

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has insisted that Rangers' goal in the first half of their Scottish Premiership meeting with Celtic on Sunday should have stood.

The decision not to award the goal following a video assistant referee (VAR) review proved costly as the Hoops went on to win the tie 1-0 courtesy of Kyogo's wonder strike in first half stoppage time. 

Rangers thought they had taken the lead in the 28th minute when Kemar Roofe got on the scoresheet but the goal was eventually canceled as VAR decided that there was a foul on Celtic defender Gustaf Lagerbielke from Cyriel Dessers in the build-up to the goal.

Gallagher has insisted that it was the wrong call as Dessers' challenge on Lagerbielke was legitimate. 

Analyzing the weekend's big decisions in the Premier League and Scottish Premiership, Gallagher said on Sky Sports' Ref Watch: "The referee has got it absolutely correct on the pitch - it's not a foul. Dessers gets in front of him.

"All I can think is when he gets to the screen if he thinks he has pushed him. If the VAR hadn't intervened no one would really have been complaining.  It's certainly not a foul with his feet. "

Dessers has directly participated in five goals (2 goals, 3 assists) in nine games since his arrival at Rangers in the summer transfer window. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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