Philippe Clement Rangers rant in FULL as Celtic told 'different story' would have played out if penalty awarded

Rangers boss Philippe Clement slated Old Firm ref Nick Walsh and the use of VAR after their defeat to Celtic at Parkhead.

The Ibrox gaffer was adamant his side deserved a first-half penalty when Alistair Johnston appeared to deliberately handle the ball inside the box. Willie Collum in the VAR hub checked for a penalty and that message was relayed on the big screens at Celtic Park. Walsh eventually waved play on and awarded a GOAL-KICK to the home side. It later emerged that Abdallah Sima - who was challenging Johnston at the back post - was offside in the build-up and that’s why there was no spot kick.

But Clement insists that was NOT communicated to him at any point in the match. The Belgian suffered his first loss as Rangers boss in the derby as goals from Paulo Bernardo and Kyogo Furuhashi sealed the points for Brendan Rodgers’ men. Afterwards, Clement said he was pleased with his side’s display even after they were reduced to 10 men following a red card for Leon Balogun.

But he wasn’t happy with the match officials. He said: “I’m really disappointed we didn’t get a penalty in the first half. It would have been a different story to go into the dressing-room at 1-1. My biggest frustration isn’t missing chances because Haaland and Mbappe miss chances like that. My biggest frustration is that if there’s a clear handball, I don’t understand why it’s not a penalty given. It’s a clear thing so I’m curious about it.

“There was no communication towards me. And if the communication is that Sima is offside, I’m not a referee - but there should have been a clear signal from VAR for offside. Then everyone knows the decision. There was no communication at that moment. Otherwise, the signal of the referee is not correct. So