Former referee Stuart Dougal has revealed VAR couldn't intervene over the decision to disallow Alfredo Morelos' strike against Celtic.

The ex-whistler explained Nick Walsh didn't have the option to take action over the major flashpoint because it wasn't a clear and obvious error by Kevin Clancy.

Ref Clancy ruled that Morelos had fouled Alistair Johnston before prodding home from close range - but Rangers have been left furious by the decision.

It's understood Ibrox club chiefs will demand answers from the Scottish FA over decisions made in the 3-2 loss at Celtic Park - with the disallowed goal a major concern.

However, Dougal insists VAR could not take action because the incident was not blatant meaning under current protocol the referee's decision is confirmed.

On BBC's The VARdict, he said: "Before we look at that, I'm delighted that following an Old Firm game there is very little for us to look at.

"As you know I am always happy if a referee can come through a game relatively unscathed.

"Obviously, this is the big talking point from the weekend. and Kevin has called it as he has seen it.

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"The problem, if you like, for certain factions is that VAR can't intervene here because it is not seen as a clear and obvious error.

"If there is something much more blatant - there is no contact whatsoever - then of course VAR could step in or ask the referee to have a look at it again.

"But where they are looking at that clip and it is a bit 50/50, 60/40 depending on what side of the fence you are on, VAR under the current protocol can't get involved."

Host Alasdair Lamont then cited questions raised in the aftermath of the incident over whether Clancy could have allowed the goal and then relied on VAR in the case that it was a foul.

"A great point," Dougal said to the suggestion. "The simple reason for that is if Kevin doesn't call that the way that he has and he is relying on VAR and VAR says to him basically you are wrong then it means Kevin is wrong.

"So by not making a decision he can still be wrong. It's important that the referee team, not just the match official, call the shots as they see them.

"And if they need VAR to rescue them, in inverted commas, then that's what can happen."

While Dougal commented on his delight at the limited refereeing issues during the match, he did suggest a VAR protocol change could improve the situation.

He called for referees to have the option of a second viewing of their own accord to confirm they have made the right call on major decisions.

Dougal said: "I'm all for selling a decision and it can't happen at the moment. But, going forward, I've said it before that if I'm the referee in that situation I wouldn't mind a wee second viewing of that just to make sure that the call is correct.

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"Now, Kevin could very well go to the monitor if called by the VAR yesterday and look at that and say, 'Yeah, I'm comfortable, I've seen a push and I think that push takes it into the illegal for a foul to have been committed'. That's fine.

"He might have looked at it and said, 'You know what, I don't think that push is as bad as I thought it looked' and then the VAR check would allow him to award the goal."

Rangers boss Michael Beale had said after the match: "I'm disappointed in one or two decisions from the officials. The VAR officials. Not Kevin on the pitch because I think if you look at the goal that’s disallowed for Alfredo Morelos.

"You look at the number on the back of his shirt, why is their guy not trying to play the ball?

"Only Alfredo's trying to play the ball, they both got a hold of each other, but Alfredo's numbers twisted around his back. I think it's a goal. I think it's a soft one."