ROBBED AGAIN?” Rangers Fans Furious as VAR Allows Celtic Equaliser in Explosive Old Firm Clash

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Celtic’s Controversial Equaliser Sparks Outrage as Rangers Fans Claim VAR “Gifted” Goal

Celtic’s controversial equaliser during Sunday’s fiery derby at Celtic Park has become the biggest talking point in Scottish football, with fans flooding social media claiming the champions were “gifted” a goal that should never have stood.

The drama unfolded after Rangers stunned the home crowd early when Mikey Moore fired the visitors ahead in the ninth minute. For a brief moment, it looked like Rangers were ready to silence Celtic Park and throw the title race into chaos.

But everything changed midway through the first half.

The Goal That Divided a Nation

Celtic forward Yang found the net to make it 1-1 after a slick attacking move involving Luke McCowan and Arne Engels. However, celebrations were immediately paused as VAR stepped in to review a potential offside involving Benjamin Nygren.

After a tense delay, the goal was awarded.

Why Rangers Fans Are Furious

The controversy centres around Nygren’s position during Yang’s strike. Rangers supporters believe the Celtic attacker was standing offside and, more importantly, interfering with goalkeeper Jack Butland’s vision.

According to IFAB offside laws, a player in an offside position can be penalised if they obstruct an opponent’s line of sight or impact their ability to play the ball.

Fans online quickly shared screenshots and freeze-frame clips appearing to show Nygren directly in Butland’s eyeline as the shot flew into the corner.

For many Rangers supporters, the decision was “clear as day.”

· “That’s never a goal.”
· “VAR has robbed Rangers again.”
· “If that’s at the other end, it gets ruled out instantly.”
· “Scottish football is becoming impossible to trust.”

Some supporters even demanded the Scottish FA publicly explain the decision, while others accused officials of inconsistency after similar incidents earlier this season sparked huge debates.

Celtic Fans Hit Back

Celtic supporters, unsurprisingly, see things very differently.

Many argue Nygren had minimal impact on Butland and insist the Rangers goalkeeper was never saving the shot regardless of positioning. Others pointed out that VAR reviewed the incident thoroughly before confirming the goal.

Some Celtic fans dismissed the backlash as “pure sour grapes” from Rangers supporters unable to accept another painful derby defeat.

And ultimately, Celtic took complete control after the equaliser.

Daizen Maeda later stole the show with two more goals — including a sensational overhead kick that sent the home crowd into chaos and sealed a massive 3-1 victory for Brendan Rodgers’ side.

VAR Controversy Dominates Scottish Football Again

This is far from the first VAR storm in Scotland this season.

The 2025/26 campaign has been filled with controversial decisions, disputed offside lines, and growing frustration over the consistency of officiating.

Several clubs

— including Rangers, Aberdeen, and even Celtic at times — have questioned how VAR is being implemented in Scottish football, citing:

· Limited camera angles
· Freeze-frame timing
· Inconsistent line drawing
· Subjective interpretations of interference

Once again, an Old Firm clash has magnified every issue.

Did Nygren Interfere With Butland?

That’s the question dividing Scottish football tonight.

Those defending the decision argue:

· Nygren never touched the ball
· Butland’s positioning was already poor
· The goalkeeper still had a clear view
· VAR saw no “material interference”

But Rangers supporters insist the goalkeeper hesitated because of Nygren’s movement and positioning.

Slow-motion replays have only intensified the debate, with fans analysing every frame in forensic detail.

As always in the Old Firm rivalry, perspective depends heavily on which side you support.

Another Bitter Chapter in the Old Firm Rivalry

These moments are exactly why the Old Firm remains one of the fiercest rivalries in world football.

Every tackle, every refereeing call, and every VAR decision becomes magnified under the pressure of the title race and the hatred between the two Glasgow giants.

For Rangers fans, this equaliser may go down as another example of a crucial call going against them in a massive match.

For Celtic supporters, it was simply a perfectly valid goal confirmed correctly by VAR.

Either way, the fallout is far from over.

Expect furious debate across Scottish football all week as pundits, former referees, and supporters continue arguing over one of the most controversial moments of the season.