Andy Walker's Rangers and Celtic VAR fear as he reckons referees are going out their way to 'punish' players

Andy Walker admits he worries that refereeing decisions could become a key talking point of Sunday's Rangers and Celtic showdown - and whistlers are going out of their way to give dismissals.

The former Hoops forward and Sky Sports commentator has hit out at officials as the Viaplay Cup final nears. Since VAR's introduction to Scottish football earlier this season, it has been plagued by controversy and people have questioned whether it is doing more harm than good.

It's why Walker is expecting referee Nick Walsh and the rest of the refereeing team to crop up in Hampden headlines on Sunday, and believes officials are seeking to dish out authority. He told Go Radio: "It's guaranteed we will be (talking about refs in Rangers vs Celtic). We are not using it well enough and I wish we could set the bar higher. I watched the Champions League games and there were a couple of challenges in those games that would 100% be red cards in Scotland. I feel as if referees can, if they possibly can punish a player, they will.

"I don't think that is the way to use VAR because that is what I've seen for most of the season and I think it is the wrong use of VAR. I think the fans want to see 11 v 11.

"I don't care what colour your strip is. I would say that to referees and it is the clubs that are paying for it, so the clubs could get together with referees and say 'can we not do this, can we not have a higher bar?'

"It looks to me if you can possibly punish a player, if you can possibly punish a team, the referees are doing it. I think it looks awful.

"The presentation we have had have been slick, professional, and they obviously know what they are talking about. But the application of it and interpretation of the rules, truly awful."