McCOIST IN VAR RAGE OVER BIG DECISION

RANGERS legend Ally McCoist has roasted VAR Nick Walsh over Alfredo Morelos’ disallowed Old Firm goal and insisted Scottish football’s use of technology has made the game a laughing stock.

Referee Kevin Clancy ruled out a 20th-minute effort from Morelos after adjudging the Colombian to have pushed Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston and awarding a free-kick.

However, TV footage showed both of them gripping each other’s shirts and McCoist, who commentated on the match for Sky Sports, was left furious when Walsh failed to invite Clancy to review the decision after watching the re-run.

‘I will clear it up for you right now, it is never a free-kick,’ said McCoist. ‘It is absolutely embarrassing the way we are running VAR, absolutely embarrassing. We are a laughing stock.

‘The both of them are holding each other and Morelos gives him a little nudge. Nick, what are you seeing, son?

‘It is remarkable. I think this is one of the problems we have with VAR. If Kevin Clancy has made a decision we can say: “Okay, we think he’s got it wrong”.

‘But VAR going and checking the decision makes the officials look totally incompetent.

‘You just want the officials to get the big decisions right — particularly when they are looking at it five times.’

Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd was also part of Sky’s live coverage and was equally scathing over Clancy’s decision and the decision of Walsh to let it go.

‘It is absolutely embarrassing,’ said Boyd. ‘At the end of the day, it is a contact sport. Alistair Johnston has a grip of Alfredo Morelos and Alfredo Morelos has a grip of him as well.

‘Then, all of a sudden, he (Johnston) realises he is underneath the ball and throws himself forward. That should be a goal. It’s embarrassing.’