Why Celtic penalty for handball was NOT given as Dermot Gallagher makes a TV appeal for 'common sense'

Dermot Gallagher has cleared St Johnstone after Celtic were controversially denied a penalty as they moved to the top of the Scottish Premiership.

A goalmouth scramble following a Paulo Bernardo drive into the box eventually saw the ball fall to Daizen Maeda - where the Japan international saw his shot blocked by Luke Robinson at point blank range on the goal line. While the ball did appear to strike the arm of the St Johnstone man referee Euan Anderson did not point to the penalty spot.

Chris Graham in the VAR room launched a check for handball ensued - but the man in the middle was not sent to the monitor as the off-field team backed up the whistler. And former English Premier League whistler Gallagher declared that "common sense" had prevailed.

He told Sky Sports on Ref Watch: "I have to say this is a common sense decision. The referee is right and when you look at that - it strikes his arm and he is on the goal line.

"He has no chance of avoiding that. If a referee gives a penalty he has then got to give a red card. It is just too harsh. There is what a yard between them? I think the referee has done the right thing - there is no way he can avoid the ball striking him."