Keith Hackett has issued a rebuttal of Alan Hutton’s claim Celtic should have been awarded a penalty for Filip Helander’s challenge on Stephen Welsh in Sunday’s Old Firm clash.

Speaking to Football Insider, the former FIFA and Premier League referee backed the on-field decision – and went on to reject the suggestion that VAR should be introduced in Scotland.

The Swedish centre-back courted controversy after he appeared to pull back on Stephen Welsh, who was chasing a dangerous whipped ball from David Turnbull, though Football Insider notes there were no appeals from Welsh or his teammates for a spot-kick.

In the wake of the decision, Ex-Rangers defender Alan Hutton told BBC Sportscene that he felt that the 27-year-old defender was lucky to get away with his actions.

He claimed:

“If we’re talking about VAR and stuff, he does grab him and affect him, I think. But as a defender, you need to get tight, it is a contact sport.

However, Sutton’s comments clearly struck a chord with Hackett for all the wrong reasons – with Hackett accusing Sutton of manufacturing an incident that lacked any real basis.

Speaking to Football Insider, the former referee said:

“What it shows is that when you get into that area I think it’s very difficult for match officials.

“This is the reason why VAR was brought in elsewhere – to try and help the match officials in these types of incidents.

“Given what I’ve seen, given the referee’s in quite a good position, the assistant referee’s looking across, it happens like a flash. He’s not going to give it.

“When you’re giving a penalty kick, you’re essentially giving a goal so you want it to be absolutely nailed on. Let’s not invent through television offences, let’s take it as read.

“For me, I’m not in agreement with what’s been said. I’m not giving a penalty kick and the referees got it right.

“I’ve never attended a Rangers v Celtic game live but I’ve always believed that those referees that are appointed to these games are in form with a great deal of experience.

“It would have been reviewed on VAR but given what’s happened in England and if that’s the example of how VAR is used, Scotland should stay away from it and rely on your referees.”

Read Celtic Verdict

In the wider context of the Old Firm defeat, to make a mountain out of the molehill of an incident would be to detract from the wider mediocrity of Celtic’s display.

Should Celtic have been awarded a penalty?

Yes

No

Despite superficially dominating Rangers in terms of shots and possession, it was Rangers that made their chances count.

Worrying over whether Celtic deserved a penalty or not will do little to alleviate wider concerns over the Hoops’ display.