Connor Goldson labelled Rangers' third goalkeeper after two 'handballs' as Hotline demands 'biased' officials binned

‘It’s a conspiracy,’ they all cried – but who for?

The Hotline was in agreement that the officiating at Ibrox on Tuesday night wasn’t up to scratch. But where consensus broke down was on the matter of whether it was Aberdeen or Rangers who got the smellier end of the stick from referee Don Robertson and his pals in the VAR hut. Bill Waugh, Glasgow, said: “Once again another penalty box incident involving Rangers’ third goalkeeper. Does Connor Goldson actually have to come out and catch a cross before a spot-kick is given?”

Helen McLean, Inverness, emailed in: “That’s now two games in a row where we’ve seen match-changing decisions totally ignored by VAR officials in Rangers’ favour. The whole Willie Collum flare-up was used by Rangers to deflect away from the laughable statistics that go their way. Normal service has now been resumed and we are in for trouble this season." Henry Moffat, Stirling, added: “The situation with VAR officials deliberately influencing games in Rangers’ favour is totally out of control. The laughable first goal against Livingston and two clear Goldson handballs proves that our officials are biased – and the ones that aren’t are too scared to award decisions against them after all their intimidation. We need foreign officials right now!”

But the Rangers support weren’t any happier with the whistlers after seeing Robertson stand by his decision to dismiss Dujon Sterling despite being sent for a second look at the Ibrox midfielder’s tackle on Jack McKenzie. Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, ranted: “Anyone thinking VAR should have given a penalty against Rangers must look at Aberdeen's goal and the sending off. Normally VAR gets involved if there is a shirt pull in the box by a defender, why in that case is