Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher assesses controversial moments in the weekend’s Scottish Premiership games, including the red card for Motherwell’s Dan Casey, as well as those involving Kilmarnock, St. Mirren, Ross County, Events at Hearts, St Johnstone, Rangers and Celtic.

Motherwell 1-1 Kilmarnock

event: There is now controversy surrounding the red card in the Scottish Premiership, with John McGinn – whose brother plays for Motherwell – calling it the worst decision he has ever seen.

Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell said he was unhappy with the referee after Dan Casey was sent off by referee Chris Graham for an altercation with Kilmarnock’s Danny Armstrong “Tired”, despite VAR instructing him to review the decision.

Dermot said: I don’t think it’s a red card at all. I think the referee thought he had him by the throat. VAR quite rightly reminded him to check.

But what they didn’t do well was they showed it in slow motion, and they showed the end of it, so they didn’t show that he had grabbed half of his chest. It looked like he was grabbing himself by the throat, but I don’t think he did that.

event: Kilmarnock were furious that Graham did not award them a penalty after Andy Halliday stepped on Brad Lyons’ foot. Are they justified in being angry? Is this a penalty?

Dermot said: I thought it was a very interesting decision because if you watch the replay, the player (Halliday) passed the ball, he got there first and then the defender got on his feet and knocked him down. From another perspective, this is certainly not a foul.

Stephen Warnock said: I’m confused. This was a case of VAR letting them down and not intervening. The entire proceedings of that match will be reviewed by Martin Atkinson. I’m sure he’d say there’s still a lot of work to be done.

Ross County 1-2 St Mirren

event: St Mirren’s Scott Tenser was unhappy after being given a second yellow card by referee Ian Sneddon after he collided with Ross County’s Aidan Denholm. Could it be that he only had himself to blame?

Dermot said: As a referee, you don’t prejudge, you prepare. The first touch was hard and his (Tenser’s) instinct was that he had to win the ball back quickly. He reached over and grabbed the player. He has received a yellow card, so he must go off.

event: St Mirren’s Richard Taylor collided with Ross County’s Eamon Brophy in the penalty area.

Dermot said: I don’t see any other way than punishment. The reason I say that is, if you look at the forward, he’s about to head the ball. He was clearly knocked out, which had an impact on both the decision and the outcome.

Warnock said: That’s so clumsy isn’t it, like what are you doing? You have to understand everything around you. You can’t just squeeze in behind someone.

Sue Smith said: Knowing himself, he squeezed into him and fell as if he himself were wounded.

event: Then there were two from St Mirren. This is Josh Reid’s handball game – but please tell us why this was never given?

Dermot said: The player is on the floor and he cannot avoid the ball. His arm grounded and the ball hit his arm. As long as his arm is grounded, there is no penalty.

event: How about this one – Killian Phillips tied up with Jordan White, huge draw. St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson insisted it was a penalty and the yellow card was appealed. Should it be given?

Dermot said: The referee has the best view. If it does, I don’t think VAR will overturn it. But the referee was looking directly at it, so for whatever reason he didn’t think it was a penalty.

Rangers 1-0 Dundee

event: Rangers’ goal against Dundee was saved despite being ruled offside by VAR. Did they make the right decision?

Dermot said: When you see this, you’ll see that they didn’t mark it ahead of time, which was a great decision. If he does that, the transfer is off, so it’s a good place to be. Really good official work.

Dundee United 0-0 Celtic

event: Celtics fans shout for penalty after Glenn Middleton handball. Is there something in this?

Dermot said: I don’t think he has any chance. His arms dropped to his sides. There was nothing he could do about it. I watched a lot of this race and the wind was horrible. As a referee you have to be aware of the conditions but don’t let players take advantage of them.

Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone

event: Hearts’ goal against St Johnstone was ruled out for offside after a VAR check. Explain this to any doubters, Dermot?

Dermot said: I think this is a good position because the player has come back from a partially offside position to recover the ball. For assistants, this is the hardest to spot.

event: St Johnstone then lodged a penalty appeal for a James Penrith handball, which was made after VAR advised referee John Beaton to look at the monitor. Is this a good intervention or a stern call?

Dermot said: I think it’s a tough decision. It did hit him in the elbow, but his arm was already there and he was running. Did he see the ball? In the Scottish League they have been very consistent. If that happens next week, they’ll hand out penalties as well. It’s hard and fast. This has been happening from Week 1 to now and will continue to happen until the end of the season.