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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

Barry Ferguson in pointed Celtic VAR reminder as James Sands handball claim sparks Rangers 'consistency' confession

Rangers hero Barry Ferguson admits there has to be more "consistency" with VAR after James Sands avoided punishment for handball against Hibs.

The post match talking points following the 3-2 victory for The Light Blues have been dominated by the Sands' flashpoint, when Joe Newell's corner was sliced up into the air by Malik Tillman at the near post and Rangers struggled to properly clear their lines. A second attempted clearance was sent towards the back post, and Sands jostled with Kevin Nisbet before the American attempted clear with his head but slipped as the ball struck his forearm.

Referee Nick Walsh refused the claims from the Easter Road players with the capital club leading 2-1 at the time at Ibrox, with Alan Tair in the VAR room backing his colleague having viewed multiple angles of the the incident. However, Ferguson reckons the 'handball' was similar to an incident Celtic star Matt O'Riley was punished for last month.

The midfielder was penalised for a handball in the area against Ross County by referee David Munro, with David Cancola converting from the spot. Both Ange Postecoglou and O'Riley expressed their anger at the VAR call post match.

Ferguson told the Go Radio Football Show: "This is the big debate. If they are going to have consistency, I go back to incidents previous to that.

James Sands appears to handle (BBC Scotland)

"I go back to the Matt O'Riley handball (that was) for me never a penalty. That last night, never a penalty in my eyes.

"But, if you are going back to six or seven weeks ago with some consistency it would have been a penalty. Maybe in this break they have had a chat with the VAR people and said 'come on'. Some of these VAR decisions given against Celtic, and other teams as well, have been ridiculous in my eyes."

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