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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Ben Banks

Alexandro Bernabei offered Celtic handball defence as perplexed Rangers hero endorses penalty box dark arts

Barry Ferguson says if he was still in his playing days, he'd be seeking out handballs inside the box as he offers a defence for Celtic left-back Alexandro Bernabei.

The Argentine felt the brunt of VAR on Saturday as he was booked following a review by the technology for Steven Fletcher heading the ball onto him during Saturday's 4-2 win against Dundee United. The former Scotland forward converted the penalty which followed but Sead Haksabanovic's double plus Kyogo Furuhashi and Liel Abada strikes ensured victory for boss Ange Postecoglou.

Former Rangers captain Ferguson was left dismayed by the call and insists that a second and third look at incidents could prompt players into a change of tactics. The Record Sport columnist told Go Radio: "It is not a penalty. I don't know what he can do. The ball is past him and he's trying to head it. The arm is behind him.

"I know it's the letter of the law but, come on, how is he meant to get his arm out the way? I don't see why it's a penalty, but by the letter of the law it is. What is it took, three-and-a-half minutes? That for me is far too long.

"Then he gets booked. Every handball in the box is a booking as well which again when I look at the Bernabei one, there needs to be some clarity over this handball rule.

"It is taking away the art of defending as well. Natural and unnatural position, I just don't like. See if I can get the ball crossed (in the box), I am just flicking it up and trying to hit it off a opposition's hand."

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