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Sport
Ben Banks

What the pundits said about Rangers no goal as John Hartson in shock Celtic verdict and Kris Boyd vents

It's got the punters talking and the pundits are in on the act too on Premiership derby day.

Celtic and Rangers' third league meeting was never going to be quiet and so it proved as the home side ran out 3-2 winners thanks to a Kyogo brace and Jota strike cancelling out James Tavernier's double. But one of the key discussion points flared up in the first half when Alfredo Morelos seemed to beat Alistair Johnston in the box and head into Joe Hart's net, but referee Kevin Clancy called it a foul.

Video official Nick Walsh in the VAR room agreed and it's resulted in confusion and rage, with Rangers legend Ally McCoist labelling it an 'embarrassment' on Sky commentary duty. The champions are now 12 points clear at the top of the league and defeat all but ends title ambitions for those in blue. But not everyone is of that scathing opinion on the call that could have put the visitors 1-0 up at a key point in the game. Here are what the pundits said about a defining incident at Celtic Park.

James McFadden

McFadden was first up on Sky Sports to address the matter and was adamant it was harsh: "You see it there, Johnston has a hold of his shirt and both of them are at it. There is a push from Morelos but he is just trying to free himself and for me, there isn't enough in that for it to be given as a foul and if it was up the other end the Celtic fans and players would be of the same opinion. This is a sport where there has to be contact and there isn't a great deal in it for me."

Kris Boyd

Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd chimed in after McFadden and was shorter, but blunter in his assessment of the situation: "It is embarrasing. See for me, as James touched on, it is a contact sport. That should be a call and it is embarrasing."

Kenny Miller

As the no goal occurred on BBC Sportsound, Record Sport columnist and Rangers favourite Miller gave his instant reaction to the game. And it was at odds with his fellow former strikers, albeit keen to have another glance: "I think it was pressure from Morelos on Johnston. It would be interesting to see it again but obviously it is the right decision as the referees have looked at it on the VAR and it has been the right call. You can't allow free headers for or against so it will be interesting to see it again."

Packie Bonner

Next to Miller was former Celtic goalkeeper Bonner and he was left wondering how the Colombian forward managed to find the space to glance home at the back-post. He explained: "I was wondering how he (Morelos) got so clear at the back post as they had crowded Joe Hart around that six-yard box. It's a big call by the referee. I can only imagine there was blocking.

John Hartson

Any notion of bias was put to the side by Parkhead legend Hartson on Go Radio. He thought it was a soft call by the refereeing team and the Canadian Celt had made the most of the situation: "I thought it was soft and I think Alistair Johnston actually does well as there is a clear push. But I don't think it is a real firm push and enough for Johnston to go down, but he does, he is clever and has bought the free kick I believe from the referee. VAR has decided it's a correct decision but that happens all the time and I think Celtic have got away with one there."

Barry Ferguson

Record Sport's own was also of the opinion that it was a chance that should have counted to Morelos' Rangers tally. The former Ibrox captain was also appearing on Go Radio and was unable to spot a foul, saying: "For me it is a goal and there is nothing really in it. Both of them are at it and if you watch, Morelos has a hold of Johnston and Johnston has a hold of Morelos. There's a slight nudge in the back but I think it is soft. What exactly is Nick Walsh seeing there? There's two players at it."

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