Ally McCoist has 'problem' with VAR after Rangers vs Celtic penalty decision as he spots way to bring clarity

Rangers and Celtic came to blows at the weekend on Premiership business, and the flashpoint that has dominated post-match discussion centres on a VAR-awarded penalty that former Rangers striker Ally McCoist insists highlights a deeper flaw in the system. Speaking after reviewing the incident, McCoist said he has a “problem” with the way the video officials reached their verdict and believes a simple procedural tweak could bring immediate clarity to similar situations.

While the brief statement released by the league confirmed only that the teams met on league duty, McCoist’s on-air analysis argued that the current protocol leaves too much room for interpretation. He stopped short of questioning the officials’ integrity, but underlined that supporters, players and coaches deserve transparent communication when a match-defining decision is overturned.

McCoist’s proposed solution centres on publishing the audio between the VAR team and the on-field referee in real time, a step already adopted by other competitions. He contends that hearing the conversation would remove suspicion, speed up acceptance of contentious calls, and ultimately protect the credibility of the Scottish top flight.

The debate adds fresh urgency to the ongoing review of VAR procedures, with the league now facing calls to follow McCoist’s advice before further high-profile fixtures are clouded by uncertainty.