A former Premier League referee has delivered his verdict on the handball penalty awarded to Celtic against Rangers.
The Parkhead side equalised in stoppage time as Reo Hatate forced home after seeing his penalty and initial rebound saved by Rangers keeper Jack Butland.
Referee John Beaton had awarded a spot-kick after being sent to the monitor to review a possible handball against Dujon Sterling.
The Ibrox defender had thrown himself in front of a headed Daizen Maeda effort with the ball striking his arm before being saved by Butland.
🗣️ "They are totally consistent."
🗣️ "If it hits your arm, it is a penalty."
The decision to award handball against Dujon Sterling during yesterday's Old Firm is backed on Ref Watch ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/r6mcr6FjvF— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) March 2, 2026
After a lengthy review of the incident, Beaton pointed to the spot.
And ex-Premier League whistler Dermot Gallagher has stated a penalty was always going to be the outcome as he cited the "totally consistent" handball decision-making in Scotland.
On Sky Sports' Ref Watch, Gallagher commented: "Absolutely consistent with what they have done all season.
"I thought the goalkeeper saved it first of all. I saw one replay and I thought, 'Well, this is going to be a penalty'.
"You ask for consistency, they are 100 per cent consistent on handball application in Scotland, no doubt about it.
"Every time that happens the referee always points to the spot. Or if the referee doesn't see it the VAR alerts him like he does here.
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"Always a penalty."
On the incident being a difficult one to call without VAR, he added: "I was watching the game live and I thought, 'Oh, what a save by the goalkeeper'.
"I saw one replay and knew it was going to be a penalty.
"The one thing you say about them, they are totally consistent.
"Any arm outstretched, the ball hits it, no matter how close it is they always point to the spot. Or the VAR says you need to go and have a look.
"It's always a penalty."
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