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Analysis

Ref Watch: Should Celtic's Matt O'Riley have been punished for handball?

Plus should Celtic's Matt O'Riley have been punished for handball? Should Rangers have been awarded a penalty against St Mirren? Was Kilmarnock's spot-kick against Hibs the correct decision?

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Dermot Gallagher looks at the decision to award Ross County a penalty for Matt O'Riley's handball at Celtic Park

Dermot Gallagher dissects the refereeing flashpoints from the weekend's Scottish Premiership action, including Ross County's penalty against Celtic.

Celtic 2-1 Ross County

INCIDENT: VAR backed up referee David Munro's decision to award Ross County a penalty after Matt O'Riley's attempted clearance cannoned back off an opponent from point blank range and hit his arm.

VERDICT: Unlucky penalty.

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Highlights of the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Ross County

DERMOT SAYS: He's really unlucky. What more can he do? It flicks up, it definitely hits his elbow. But you have to accept VAR is not going to be utopia straight away, but it is moving forward.

St Mirren 1-1 Rangers

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Dermot Gallagher agrees it was right to rescind Ryan Kent's yellow card and award a penalty in Rangers' draw with St Mirren

INCIDENT: A VAR check saw Ryan Kent's yellow card for diving rescinded with Rangers awarded a penalty.

VERDICT: Penalty was right decision.

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Highlights of the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between St Mirren and Rangers

DERMOT SAYS: The ball's the clue. The ball goes and the defender doesn't get the ball - that's clear for me. Is it a foul? Yes. This is the good thing about VAR - without it, that wouldn't have been given a penalty. People say, 'They've brought it in halfway through the season, it's not right'. But do you want to continue seeing that not given or do you want to take the initiative? They've done well to say, 'Yes, we'll bring it in'.

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Kilmarnock 1-0 Hibernian

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Dermot Gallagher believes the decision to award Kilmarnock a penalty against Hibs proves why VAR is a strong addition to Scottish football.

INCIDENT: Kilmarnock were awarded a penalty after referee David Dickinson's decision to award a free-kick against Hibs defender Marijan Cabraja was overruled after VAR determined the contact to have taken place just inside the box.

VERDICT: Right decision.

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Highlights of the Scottish Premiership match between Kilmarnock and Hibernian

DERMOT SAYS: This is a great example of why they're bringing VAR in. Without VAR, that would have been given as a free-kick. It's a foul. The assistant sees it but the referee can't see where it is. When you look, it is just inside the penalty area.

Scottish Premiership & SWPL on Sky Sports

Sky Sports will broadcast the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Women's Premier League
Image: Sky Sports will broadcast the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Women's Premier League

Sky Sports - This season up to 48 cinch Premiership games will be available across Sky Sports' flagship channels, including Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event, plus at least five SWPL matches. From 2024/25, up to 60 cinch Premiership will be live on Sky Sports, in addition to the SWPL.

Sky Sports News - Running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Scottish football fans can enjoy Sky Sports News' (channel 409) rolling editorial coverage of the cinch Premiership and SWPL throughout the season.

Sky Sports Digital - Follow all the latest from Scottish football across SkySports.com and app, including exclusive features and interviews, plus dedicated live blog coverage, in-game clips from matches live on Sky Sports and free highlights.

Sky Sports Social - Alongside coverage and visibility for the league across all Sky Sports' main social media channels, the bespoke Twitter channel @ScotlandSky will continue to be the home of all Scottish football content on Sky Sports.

Highlights show - Tune in for a dedicated round-up from the cinch Premiership every week on Sky Sports Football.

To download the Sky Sports app click here, to visit Sky Sports website click here.

Sky Sports is the home of domestic football in the UK and Ireland, with more than 400 games per season across the SPFL, SWPL, Premier League, WSL, and EFL.

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