Kris Boyd erupts at Chris Sutton after Rangers red card text barrage as Celtic hero demands John Souttar defence

Raging Kris Boyd has batted away calls for Chris Sutton for John Souttar to be shown a red card after the Rangers defender was punished for handball against Hibs.

It was a first-half packed with VAR incidents at Ibrox after Tom Lawrence found the net against David Gray's side - only to see the offside flag raised. However, Kevin Clancy would step in from the VAR room to send Nick Walsh to the pitchside monitor, with the goal eventually given to open the scoring.

However, the visitors would have the chance to level the game when Mykola Kukharevych saw his shot from close range hit the hand of Souttar as he attempted to block the shot. The VAR team would again step in after whistler Walsh had initially waved play on - with the ref then pointing to the penalty spot. The Swansea City loanee would go on to miss from 12-yards with Jack Butland saving the effort.

Speaking to Sky Sports at half-time, Rangers' fan favourite Boyd insisted that the match officials got the call right on Lawrence's goal - with on-air sparring partner Sutton agreeing from outside of the studio. He said: "It is great movement to get the shot away.

"Even Chris Sutton would say that is onside - although I have had a few messages from him complaining. But, it's unbelievable finish when he cuts it back in."

Souttar's punishment was the dissected by the panel - before Boyd cut in again after a noise up from Celtic hero Sutton. Boyd went on: "Can I just clear something up? My big friend has text me asking why he hasn't been sent off.

"He has not been sent off because Jack Butland was behind him and he would have saved it. It's not denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, so there you go Mr Sutton. He text me straight away asking 'why no red card?'."

Tune