GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 08: Emmanuel Fernandez of Rangers scores only for VAR to rule an infringement during the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Quarter Final match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
For more than a minute Manny Fernandez was the Ibrox goal-hero.
The £3m journeyman flogged by Barry Fry in the summer had scored the goal to beat Celtic in the Scottish Cup.
Don Robertson was happy to allow the ‘goal’ to stand.
Assistant referee David Roome, a close friend of Bobby Madden wasn’t going to raise his flag.
He could probably imagine the celebrations that Madden would be going through. Similar to April 2022 at Hampden when the chrome dome from East Kilbride defeated Ange Postecoglou’s side in his farewell derby performance.
FERNANDEZ HANDBALL
Fernandez raised both hands to meet James Tavernier’s corner into the six yard box.
When Vil Sinisalo blocked it Fernandez slapped the rebound into the net.
Three stands at Ibrox erupted in joy. Nicky Raskin gestured to the other stand then ran off.
At the Sandy Jardine Stand fans spilled onto the track to celebrate with their goal hero, the former Peterborough goal hero.
Finally we got round to the VAR check.
The difference in Rory’s voice when our goal was chalked off wrongly, vs this one ?
Right up ye.— The DaViEbh0y_Celtic (@LowMelaninWhite) March 9, 2026
Like Steven McLean a week earlier this one was just too blatant for Andrew Dallas to ignore. He did try, the VAR check took the best part of two minutes. One viewing was all that was needed to confirm the glaringly obvious.
And finally justice was done. Sort of.
The goal was disallowed, play restarted with a Celtic free kick. For some reason Robertson didn’t book Fernandez. Perhaps he was feeling the same pain that had hit John Beaton a week ago.
Applying the Laws of the Game can be painful. No need to dish out the justice of booking players that break the laws.
Fernandez has got away with a number of handball incidents in Scottish football this season. It seems that he wanted to push his luck by actually scoring with his hand.
Sinisalo has made 17 appearances for Celtic. Three of them at Ibrox where he is unbeaten.
This was the Huns celebrating Fernandez handball disallowed goal.
It gives context to Celtic fans then spilling on to the pitch after the penalties. pic.twitter.com/CAtV2ciLRq
— RJM67 ?? (@RJMCeltic67) March 8, 2026
Maybe he thought it was ok to punch the ball into the net. Don’t forget Dodgy Don awarded the goal as well.
— Paul Welsh (@Treksville) March 9, 2026
Really don’t understand why he celebrated as he didn’t know full well it would be disallowed. Unless of course he assumed ….
— Christopher Convery (@convery_chris) March 9, 2026
The finger wag to suggest VAR got it wrong when it was inevitably disallowed ended me ?
— FPL Regret ? ??????? (@FplRegret) March 9, 2026
Players that know they are reffed differently.
A fanbase and club that is never called out or criticised in the media.
What could possibly be the problem?
You would think the 6-7 x Celtic players claiming hand ball would be enough to indicate foul play, not withstanding the blatant push on Araujo. Fortunately we had VAR to assist those of such poor eyesight to see the bleeding obvious
It did not take the daily Record long to start the big ‘ total encouragement ‘ offensive after it’s pet project were beaten by Celtic in the Scottish Cup yesterday ? A story on how Tavpen is ‘determined ‘ to restart theRangers’ campaign to win the league gets the huge embellishment treatment from one of its hurting and ‘disappointed ‘ superstar scoops today . And make no mistake ..there are plenty of other glorified office typists at the rag experiencing similar feelings after yesterday’s result too ? Like the headline says …’its the hope that kills them ! ‘
Diego(Maradonna)Hernandez to the rescue,not.
I tuned into sevco Rabble earlier for this mornings episode to get a goid auld laugh, I was not disappointed.
Lol the ARSEHOLE that apparently trying to present spoke more about taking hus wean to school and his mrs heading to work for a biut 5 minutes before talking about the game,oh so funny.
Then he started the comedy gold show with him taking some calls the pain in those phone calls he took what a joy.
The huns screaming down the phone no more allocations for Celtic as that pitch invasion was all Celtic’s fault.
As said in an post last had they lost that game they would invade the pitch,they didn’t they drew the game,hence yesterday they lost the game abd thecF*****G PLOT,oh and 3 points.
But not to worry on sevco Rabble today apparently they win all their remaining games they ate champions,aye and Kojak is going out tomorrow buy a comb for his hair.
Lol auld PISHY tenalady vigilantes aka Spew Heevins had predicted a 3 nil win for sevco yesterday,long may he keep his predictions coming like that.
Their next game is against the mighty St Mirren who are fighting relegation,no doubt he will sevco for 5 nil victory there.
Lol is Tom English on a SPONSORED SILENCE today,usually he’s out there drinking sevco pish and eating their SHITE.
Yes, without VAR that goal would have stood.
And, the question remains about the competence of the referee and the linesman.
If they were following the track of the ball, why was the goal awarded?
What were they both looking at?
VAR has its flaws absolutely, but when it highlights match officials’ ‘incompetence’
there should be consequences – obviously.
But, the SFA / The Scottish Referees Association have no interest in improving match officiating.
[Looks like 2 separate handball fouls too… ]
Araugo must be called the Honey Badger after this display
Just had a big argument there with a Sevco Hun…
He says we were first on the trackside…
I told him to watch the Fernandez ‘goal’
They truly are beyond fu**in parody !
Hey Clach get yourself on to supersnoreboard for a good auld CHUCKLE at the caller named Scott,an absolute HORSE’S BANGER,he was that bad even the doughball that hosts the show called him out.
Aye Madman Mars tuned in tonight for the first time since we dumped them outta The League Cup Semi Final and heard that guy…
As I say they’re beyond fu**in parody…
Aye the ‘Motherwell’ fan fair play to him on this occasion ripped the pure pish outta him…
Not that difficult all the same !
SuperSNOREboard ! – Very witty !!!