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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Neil McCann in 'game's gone' verdict over Alfredo Morelos' disallowed goal

Neil McCann has delivered a brutal two-word verdict over the VAR controversy surrounding Alfredo Morelos' disallowed goal yesterday.

The Colombian thought he's scored the opener for Rangers at Celtic Park just before the midway point of the first half on derby day. 

The striker poked the ball into the net, past Joe Hart, at the back post after a Gers corner. 

However, as the 26-year-old wheeled away to celebrate, Kevin Clancy whistled for a foul, much to the dismay of Morelos and his teammates. 

A VAR check was required for the incident, but Nick Walsh concurred with the on-field official, and play was waved on. 

The situation has sparked much debate in the aftermath of the game. 

Both Ally McCoist and Kris Boyd slammed VAR as "embarrassing", while Alistair Johnston - the player Morelos grappled with - praised Clancy for doing a "good job".

Now, McCann simply reckons the "game's gone" if Morelos' jostling with Johnston is deemed a foul by officials.

He told BBC's Sportscene: "You can see Alistair Johnston has got a big grip of Morelos' jersey, pulling it. That's a big grab of the jersey. Greg Taylor's just pinning and bearhugging Ryan Jack in front of the goalkeeper.

"If the referee can't see that, that's when VAR should come in and say 'we've noticed something, come and have a look.' We've seen penalties given for that.

"As a footballer, I don't mind that. That goes on in the box and I'm not saying that's a penalty.

"But the one that's disallowed. I know you're saying it's a push and there's contact but Alistair Johnston misjudged it and got ahead of the flight of the ball, he knows he can't get there and he goes down.

"He (Clancy) should've been asked to come across and look at that. I think VAR should've said 'have a look and see what you think.'

"I think if you're giving free kicks for that, the game's gone."

McCoist had an on-air rant during the game about the incident while on commentary duties. 

He said: "Honest to goodness, it is absolutely embarrassing the way we are running VAR. Absolutely embarrassing. We are a laughing stock.  

"He gives him a little nudge. Nick, what are you seeing, son."

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