SFA hit back at Rangers over Old Firm VAR call

The Scottish Football Association has hit back at Rangers as the row over a non-penalty incident at Celtic Park continues.

Celtic defender Alistair Johnston appeared to handle the ball inside the area in the first half of the cinch Premiership clash at Parkhead on December 30 while under pressure from Gers forward Abdallah Sima.

Referee Nick Walsh pointed for a goal kick and the decision was confirmed by VAR official Willie Collum following a check.

It later emerged through Sky Sports – broadcasting the match live – that there had been an offside in the build-up and Rangers claimed that was never mentioned during the VAR analysis.

The Ibrox club called on the SFA to release the audio of the incident and following a meeting with the governing body on Wednesday, Rangers said there was "an overriding consensus the VAR decision of no handball was incorrect".

The Govan club also added they were "deeply concerned" by the speed of the decision and there were reports that the club had requested that Collum not be involved in Rangers games going forward.

However, in a lengthy statement the SFA said: "The Scottish FA is disappointed by contents of the most recent statement issued by Rangers.

"Chief executive James Bisgrove and director of football operations Creag Robertson attended a private briefing with the head of referee operations, Crawford Allan, to review the incident in question, including the use of matchday audio.

"We understood from the chief executive that the meeting had been constructive and informative, and conducted amicably. This does not appear to be reflected in the club's statement.

"During the meeting, it was pointed out that the incident in question was a subjective handball and that the VAR did not deem it a