Controversial Call: Refereeing Blunder Denied Kemar Roofe's Rangers Goal in Old Firm Clash, Reveals Dermot Gallagher

According to former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher, Kemar Roofe's goal against Celtic should have been allowed to stand as the first goal in the Old Firm game at Ibrox. Roofe scored a strong finish after receiving a pass from Cyriel Dessers, who had outmuscled Celtic defender Gustaf Lagerbielke.

Referee Don Robertson initially awarded the goal but later reversed his decision upon review by VAR official Alan Muir. Former Rangers forward Kris Boyd criticized the decision, calling it "shocking." On Monday's episode of Ref Watch, Gallagher expressed empathy towards the hosts, who ultimately lost 1-0 to Kyogo Furuhashi's winning goal in injury time of the first half, leaving them four points behind the top of the Scottish Premiership.

"The referee is spot on with the decision on the field - there was no foul," he stated. "Dessers managed to get ahead of him.

"The only assumption I can make is that once the referee reviewed the incident on the screen, he thought there was some pushing involved. Without VAR intervening, hardly anyone would have raised objections. It's important to note that there was no foul committed with his feet."

Steven Warnock, a former Liverpool and England defender, concurred and emphasized the response of Lagerbielke's fellow players to his error. "The goal deserved to be allowed," he opined. "One of the Celtic center-backs exhibited a vehement reaction towards his teammate for lingering on the ball. Body language speaks volumes - players have an instinct for discerning fouls from fair play."

We News understands Rangers will contact the Scottish FA for an explanation on why Roofe's goal was ruled out.

Pundits split on Dessers VAR call

Kris Boyd expressed disbelief at the decision, considering it to be shocking. He found it incredible that the foul was called after Lagerbielke was caught on the ball and Dessers managed to regain possession. Boyd believes that Don Robertson should have displayed more assertiveness after being sent to the pitchside monitor.

Neil Lennon acknowledged that Celtic were lucky, but he still believes that a foul occurred.

James McFadden: "By the laws of the game, it's a foul."

Kenny Miller: "It is ridiculous if he gives a foul for that. That's not a free-kick."

Lagerbielke: It was a foul

Celtic defender Gustaf Lagerbielke told We:

I carried the ball forward, perhaps taking a few too many touches, when Dessers fouled me. Although they managed to score, luckily it was ruled as a foul, which I believed was the correct decision. It was a relief for me as I could finally exhale. Initially, I was uncertain if VAR would disallow the goal, but I am pleased that it didn't count.