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“Ianis Hagi’s Penalty Snub Backed by VAR Review Panel as Rangers-Celtic Derby Sparks SFA Probe into Ibrox Flashpoints”
The aftermath of the dramatic Old Firm clash continues to unfold as the Scottish Football Association’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel delivers a decisive verdict on three major flashpoints from the Rangers vs Celtic derby — with Ianis Hagi’s penalty appeal taking centre stage.
Tensions were high at Ibrox last weekend as the final meeting of the season between the two Glasgow giants ended in a tense draw. One of the biggest talking points came late in the game when Rangers midfielder Ianis Hagi went down inside the Celtic penalty area after a challenge from Callum McGregor. Rangers players, including Barry Ferguson on the sidelines, erupted in protest, convinced that the Romanian had been fouled. However, referee Nick Walsh waved away the appeals, and McGregor countered by insisting *he* had been the one impeded.
Hagi, visibly frustrated, was later forced off with an injury — one that has now ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign. In a fresh twist, *Record Sport* has revealed that Hagi’s time at Ibrox could now be over, with his future at the club uncertain.
To compound matters for the playmaker, the independent KMI panel has unanimously upheld the referee’s decision. In a 5–0 vote, they determined that no penalty should have been awarded, siding completely with Walsh’s on-field judgment.
The panel also examined two other major incidents from the fiery encounter. The first involved Nicolas Raskin’s headed goal for Rangers, which was initially allowed but later ruled out by VAR for offside. The KMI panel confirmed that the original on-field call was incorrect and praised VAR’s intervention for correctly disallowing the goal.
The second contentious moment came with Celtic striker Adam Idah’s equaliser. Initially ruled out for offside by the assistant referee, the decision was overturned by VAR — and again, the panel backed the intervention, stating it was right to award the goal.
Cyriel Dessers had given Rangers the lead just before halftime, and the home side looked poised to secure a rare derby win under Philippe Clement. But Idah’s second-half strike salvaged a point for Celtic, sparing Brendan Rodgers from a third consecutive loss to their bitter rivals.
The intensity of the match, combined with these high-profile decisions, has prompted the Scottish FA to take a closer look. A deeper investigation into the refereeing and VAR performance from the derby is reportedly underway, as pressure mounts over consistency and transparency in Scottish officiating.
As the dust settles, Hagi’s denied penalty and abrupt injury exit mark a potentially bitter end to his Rangers career — while the KMI panel’s rulings offer validation to VAR’s critical role in one of the season’s most high-stakes fixtures.
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