Rangers have been told the “horrendous” penalty decision that helped them open the scoring in their win over St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership should have been overturned by VAR.

Derek McInnes’ side kept the pressure on top-of-the-table Celtic with a 2-0 victory in Paisley on Saturday evening, with Ryan Naderi scoring from the spot after 18 minutes when James Penrice was adjudged to have been fouled in the box by Samuel Ramos, before captain Dan Neil sealed the win just after the hour mark.

However, the controversy surrounding VAR’s decision not to overturn the penalty became the main talking point after the clash. Several pundits claimed referee Nick Walsh’s decision to award the spot kick should have been overruled, with Ramos’ contact on Penrice deemed not enough to award a penalty.

Echoing those thoughts, former Rangers defender Alan Hutton agreed that VAR should have definitely overturned the decision. His Scottish Football Social Club co-host, Michael Stewart, went one step further, blasting Walsh’s reaction to St Mirren complaints in the immediate aftermath of the penalty being awarded.

“Other instances where I've talked about VAR being a shocker - well that one is across the board,” said Stewart. “Nick Walsh is in the perfect position to see what is going on. That is a horrendous decision from Nick Walsh. It is compounded by VAR, and I have to say, Nick Walsh's reaction to Ramos... not aggression by the way, just speak to him, was sheer arrogance.

“It was absolute contempt for a football player. That has no place for me. That shows zero emotional intelligence. He's given a penalty against somebody who knows it was never a penalty. Ramos didn't show any aggression towards him, and he's stood there and looked down his nose at him as if to say 'how dare you even come within three feet of me'. Absolute arrogance.”

His co-host Hutton added to Stewart’s complaints, saying: “It's not a penalty. He barely touches him. Like I said, all contact in the box isn't a penalty kick. Am I right in saying the referee gave it on the pitch? I think it should be overturned [by VAR]. If anybody showed me this on VAR, I would know first time that wasn't a foul. It needed to be overturned.”

Despite the duo’s frustration at the Rangers penalty being awarded, former English Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher backed Walsh on Sky Sports' Ref Watch programme, claiming “no one” had a better view than the referee and that he made the correct on field decision.

“The defender definitely doesn't get the ball,” said Gallagher. “Look where the referee is, he's got the perfect view. There's the ball, Rangers player plays the ball, he doesn't, it's very hard to go against the referee in that situation.” Fellow Sky Sports guest, and former Aston Villa manager, Tim Sherwood agreed with him, saying: “It’s a minimal touch, but we're happy [that it’s a penalty].”