Another Old Firm derby, another dagger in the heart of Rangers fans. Celtic Park once more became the scene of daylight robbery as the Hoops scraped a 3-1 victory, but the real story wasn’t the scoreline — it was the blatant, unpunished thuggery from Alistair Johnston that should have seen him sent off and changed the entire complexion of the match.
If you’re a Bears fan still fuming hours after the final whistle, you’re not alone. This wasn’t just a bad refereeing decision. This was systemic bias, spineless VAR officials hiding behind their screens, and yet another chapter in the long book of Rangers being shafted in Glasgow’s biggest fixture.
The Match That Should Have Been Ours
Let’s set the scene. Rangers started brightly and took a deserved lead through young Mikey Moore in the 9th minute. The kid’s got ice in his veins, and for a moment, it felt like the Ibrox men were going to silence the Celtic Park crowd. But as we all know too well, playing at Parkhead is never just about football. It’s about surviving the refereeing lottery.
Celtic equalized through Hyun-Jun Yang before Daizen Maeda stole the show with a couple of goals, including that spectacular overhead kick. Fair play to Maeda for the finish — it was quality. But the game was crying out for a red card that never came. Alistair Johnston, Celtic’s Canadian full-back, committed what countless pundits and ex-refs are now calling a “clear red card” incident in the second half.
You saw it. We all saw it. A reckless, studs-up challenge (or forearm smash/elbow, depending on the angle) that endangered a Rangers player. On any normal pitch, with any normal refereeing team, Johnston is walking. Instead, the referee waved play on, VAR stayed silent, and Celtic kept all 11 men on the pitch while they turned the screw.
This wasn’t a 50-50. This was a moment where the referee had a chance to show he wasn’t intimidated by the home crowd or the green-and-white hoops. He failed. Miserably.
The Johnston File: Serial Offender or Protected Species?
Alistair Johnston has form. Whether it’s late tackles, “dark arts,” or getting away with challenges that would see a Rangers player banned for weeks, the Celtic defender seems to operate with some invisible shield. Rangers fans have watched him escape yellows, reds, and even penalties in previous derbies.
Remember the incidents where he clattered into Rangers attackers? The SFA Key Match Incident panels often clear him, while our boys get the book thrown at them. Is it because he’s effective? Aggressive? Or is it simply because he’s wearing the right jersey in the right fixture?
Ex-PGMOL officials and Scottish pundits have been split, but the consensus among neutral observers leaning Rangers’ way is damning: it was at least a yellow, if not a straight red. Mike Dean-types on social media and radio phone-ins called it “stonewall.” Yet the man in the middle and the cowards in the VAR room did nothing. Why?
Spineless. That’s the word. They hide behind “clear and obvious error” thresholds while Rangers players get sent off for lesser offences in the same game or previous derbies. John Lundstram-style reds for us, get-out-of-jail-free cards for them.
The Bigger Picture: Conspiracy or Incompetence?
Let’s be honest — many Rangers supporters are past the point of giving the benefit of the doubt. How many times have we seen this script? A tight title race, Celtic at home, controversial non-decisions that keep the Hoops in the game.
Hearts might be leading the table right now, but every dropped point for Rangers feels magnified because of these calls. One red card to Johnston changes everything: Celtic down to ten men, momentum swings back to Gers, possible equalizer or winner. Instead, we end up chasing shadows while Maeda and co. run riot.
It’s not just this match. It’s the cumulative effect. Rangers have asked for VAR audio before. We’ve seen statements from the club slamming standards. The SFA reviews often come back with “no further action” when it suits one side. Fans on social media are exploding with clips, slow-mos, and side-by-side comparisons showing inconsistency.
One fan summed it up perfectly online: “Same old story. If that was Tavernier or Sterling on the end of that, we’re down to ten and the headlines are all about ‘Gers thuggery’.”
What the Pundits and Ex-Players Are Saying
The post-match debate has been fiery. Kris Boyd, always vocal, ripped into the officials. Ex-Rangers voices on radio shows called for an independent review. Even some Celtic fans on forums admitted it looked dodgy, though most are happy to take the three points and move on.
“Clear red,” said one analyst. “VAR had a duty to intervene.” Another pointed to the referee’s body language — hesitant, influenced by the roar of the crowd. In big games, officials shrink. In Old Firm games, it feels like some shrink more than others when certain colours are involved.
Compare this to the scrutiny Rangers players face. A mistimed tackle becomes a witch hunt. A Celtic player stays on and it’s “passionate defending.”
Impact on the Title Race and What Happens Next
With this result, Celtic closed the gap (or whatever the exact standings were post-match), but the real damage is to Rangers’ momentum and the perception of fairness. Philippe Clement or whoever is in charge will be fuming in private. The players gave everything, fought back, but were undermined by decisions outside their control.
The title isn’t over — far from it. But moments like this erode trust. Rangers need to channel this anger into the next fixtures. Win the remaining games, put pressure on the leaders, and force the narrative back onto the pitch where it belongs.
For the SFA and referees’ chief, another storm is brewing. More calls for full VAR audio release, more demands for accountability. How many “honest mistakes” can one league take before fans lose faith entirely?
Final Word to the Board and the Fans
Rangers Football Club — it’s time to be louder. Release statements. Demand meetings. Push for transparency. The supporters have had enough of being the whipping boys of Scottish football’s officiating circus.
To every Gers fan still raging: you’re right to be angry. This wasn’t just a loss; it was another example of what we’ve endured for years. But remember why we love this club — the never-say-die spirit, the history, the loyal support that travels in numbers regardless.
Celtic got the win, but they didn’t get the respect. Not when it was handed to them on a plate of dodgy decisions. Johnston should have been off. The ref and VAR failed. And Rangers were, once again, robbed in broad daylight at Celtic Park.
We’ll be back. Stronger, hungrier, and still the only club that truly matters to millions.
Bear with us. WATP.
