After an incident-free week, the fourth round of fixtures saw the first Derby of the season.
31/08/25 The Rangers vs Celtic
Incident 1
Referee: Don Robertson
Game Minute: 7th
Score At Time: 0-0
Incident: Scales challenges Miovski
Outcome: No decision.
Evidence: Rangers 0-0 Celtic | HIGHLIGHTS | William Hill Premiership
At 0:33
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict:
Miovski goes over in the box
IOD - No decision
The Rangers man tries to latch onto a through ball and gets in front of the Celtic defender. He then appears to slow down and waits for the first bit of contact before dropping to the floor. There is no type of challenge or movement from the defender and the contact is clearly initiated by Miovski. Not a foul in the slightest.
Verdict: CORRECT decision
Expected Points Outcome: No impact
Incident 2
Referee: Don Robertson
Game Minute: 87th
Score At Time: 0-0
Incident: Maeda challenges Curtis
Outcome: No decision.
Evidence: Sportscene - Premiership Highlights 2025/26: 31/08/2025 - BBC iPlayer
At 10:12
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict:
Curtis goes down in the box
IOD: No decision
Curtis bursts into the Celtic midfield penalty area, and as Maeda closes him down, the Rangers man just pokes the ball forward with his left foot before his right foot clips Maeda's right foot, who is now positioned just in front of the Rangers player.
Given the foot on foot contact is made after Curtis has played the ball forward, there is a decision to be made here. As Curtis’s right foot runs into Maeda's running right leg, rather than Maeda stretching to make a block challenge, I feel this sits within the realm of expected mutual contact, rather than a foul being committed by the Celtic player.
In my opinion, it didn’t meet the threshold of being classed as a foul tackle and the right result was arrived upon.
Verdict: CORRECT decision
Expected Points Outcome: No impact
Summary
My thanks, as always, to the Yorkshire Whistler.
No errors this week, in a derby where the incidents were as colourless as the rest of the play.
Neither side has yet been advantaged or disadvantaged.
Celtic leads by six points after four games.