Referee and VAR decisions are so often major talking points in the Scottish Premiership.
It has especially been the case in recent weeks with a game in Glasgow bringing the spotlight onto officiating, but there have been plenty other Premiership teams adversely affected.
Last week, St Mirren’s Alex Gogic was unlucky to be sent off against Motherwell while Jim Goodwin felt Kilmarnock’s penalty against his Dundee United was very harsh.
While Motherwell were fuming when Dundee were able to break away and score when they had a player down with a head knock.
The Steelmen have been on the wrong end of one again with Stuart Kettlewell branding Dan Casey’s red card from the weekend the worst decision he has ever seen, with Well appealing it.
It wasn’t the only contentious call from the weekend and Sky Sports’ Ref Watch has delivered their verdict.
Hearts vs St Johnstone
James Wilson disallowed goal
Dermot Gallagher: “I think it’s a great spot because the hardest decision to make on an offside is when a forward goes from an offside position, only just an offside position, to retrieve the ball.
“That’s what he (Wilson) does there so it’s a difficult one to spot.”
St Johnstone penalty for Penrice handball
DG: “I think tough call. Tough decision because it does strike him on the elbow but his arm is already there. He’s running, can he see the ball? Don’t know.
“What I will say, in the Scottish league they have done hard and fast on anything like that. They’ve been really consistent so if it happens next week they’ll still give a penalty.
Stephen Warnock: “Shocker. A pen for that?
Sue Smith: “I think harsh as well, but what I say in their defence is that has happened from week one and it will happen to the end of the season.”
Motherwell vs Kilmarnock
Dan Casey red card
DG: “I don’t think it’s a red card at all. I think the referee thinks he’s grabbed him by the throat but he hasn’t. The VAR quite rightly has alerted him to go over but what he didn’t do very well then…when it showed what happened they show it in slow motion and they show the end of it so you don’t see he’s caught him half way down his chest. It shows the end and it looks like he’s grabbed the throat but I don’t think he has.”
SW: “It’s an absolutely ridiculous decision.”
SS: “Awful decision and it should never have been a red card. And, as you say, the referee think it’s a red, he thinks he’s got him round the throat. But VAR’s responsibilty is to show him the whole thing not just the end. I think that’s poor, they’ve not helped their mate out there.”
Kilmarnock penalty claim
“I think this is a really interesting decision because if you look the forward plays the ball, gets their first, then the defender stamps on his foot which knocks him over. It’s certainly not a foul the other way.
SW: “Very (puzzled). That’s VAR letting him down, not stepping him.”
Ross County vs St Mirren
Scott Tanser second yellow
“If you’re a referee you don’t pre-judge, you prepare. The first touch is heavy and the instinct is ‘I’ve got to get that ball back quickly’ and nine times out of ten you stretch for it. He’s stretched and caught the player. Already on a yellow so he’s going to get sent off.”
County penalty claim
“I don’t see how that could be anything other than a penalty. If you look at the forward he’s about to head the ball so he’s clearly knocked off. It has impact on the outcome of the move. For me it’s got to be a penalty.”
St Mirren penalty claim for Reid handball
“Well, the player is on the floor isn’t he? He can’t get out the way of the ball, grounded and the ball strikes him on the arm. If the player is grounded it’s not going to be a penalty.”
Buddies penalty claim for foul on Philipps by White
“The referee has got the best view. He thinks he’s played the ball or got near the ball. I don’t think if it was given VAR would overturn it. But the referee is looking straight at it so for whatever reason he thinks it’s no penalty.”