Andy Walker doubles down on Celtic penalty fury but concedes VAR defeat despite 'higher bar' contrast

Raging Andy Walker has branded the decision to award Celtic a penalty against Ross County "ridiculous" - as he insisted there was a "higher bar" for VAR intervention in other countries.

Alex Iacovitti was punished for a handball just before the break during the Scottish Premiership showdown at Dingwall as the County captain challenged Cameron Carter-Vickers for the ball in an aerial duel. Referee Willie Collum initially waved play on before he was sent to the monitor by Steven Kirkland in the VAR room, leading to the whistler pointing to the spot to allow Jota to open the scoring.

At the time on commentary for Sky Sports, Walker blasted the decision stating: "Does that hit Iacovitti's hand, or does it hit Carter-Vickers shoulder? It looks like a shoulder to me. It's a ridiculous decision to give it." And the co-commentator would continue to fume hen the camera panned to Staggies' boss Malky Mackay.

Walker had an idea of what he saying to the fourth official: "What do you mean we're getting beat 1-0? It's still a joke decision the penalty, it's not what VAR was brought in for."

The former Celtic striker continued his rage 24 hours after the clash, when he took aim at VAR. He told The Go Radio Football Show: "No one would have batted an eye had there not been a penalty given. They are actually looking for offences now.

"The fact that both players were trying to head it, and it actually goes through that head space as they were jostling with one another, and hits his arm/shoulder on the way through. I think it's just the latest in a long line of ridiculous penalties."

However, he admitted the technology was not going to leave the Premiership any time soon - as Walker demanded the threshold is raised for VAR