Rangers chief demands clarity from SFA after Celtic clash controversy

Rangers have sought clarification from the SFA over the challenge that left Ryan Naderi with an ankle injury during last week’s Old Firm meeting with Celtic.

Derek McInnes confirmed that Rangers chief executive Jim Gillespie has spoken with SFA head of refereeing communications Willie Collum to ask why the incident was not reviewed by VAR.

The challenge occurred late in Rangers’ 3-0 victory at Ibrox, when Mika Baur caught Naderi on the ankle. The Rangers forward was left needing treatment and is now a doubt for Sunday’s return fixture at Celtic Park.

Rangers were particularly frustrated because the decision went against them, with Celtic awarded the free-kick despite Naderi appearing to be on the receiving end of the challenge. VAR also did not recommend that referee Nick Walsh review the incident.

With Naderi’s availability now in doubt, the incident has taken on greater significance for Rangers.

McInnes confirmed that Gillespie had raised the matter with Collum but made it clear that he did not want to become drawn into a wider argument about refereeing.

“Jim Gillespie spoke to Willie Collum in the SFA about it,” McInnes said.

“I’m really not happy with the challenge, but I’m not going to get caught up in referee chat.”

The Rangers manager questioned why Walsh was not sent to the monitor, adding that Naderi’s ankle had suffered significant damage.

“I’m surprised that the referee wasn’t asked to look at that. I find it strange that he wasn’t. Ryan’s ankle’s a mess. It was a mess. It was a poor challenge.”

Former referee Keith Hackett was also critical of the decision. He argued that the challenge should have resulted in disciplinary action and suggested that Rangers could receive an apology from the SFA.

“The referee got this wrong and I do now expect an apology from Collum to Rangers,” Hackett said.

Hackett also questioned VAR’s decision not to intervene, describing the challenge as reckless and saying Baur should at least have received a yellow card.

Rangers will now turn their attention to Sunday’s Premiership clash, with Naderi’s fitness one of the key issues facing McInnes ahead of the second Old Firm meeting in the space of a week.