Rangers star Fabio Silva has been spotted deploying "mind games" before Matt O'Riley missed from the penalty spot for Celtic.
The Scottish Premiership leaders were already 2-1 up when the Danish international went down in the box following a challenge from Mohamed Diomande - which saw referee Willie Collum point to the penalty spot. However, the whistler would be sent to the pitch-side monitor to review the incident by the VAR room - leading to a lengthy delay in play.
During the break in the game, Wolves loanee Silva was spotted by Sky Sports cameras walking over to O'Riley and sharing a brief exchange. Silva covered his mouth during the conversation - which initially saw the Celtic star smirk before the discussion continued while O'Riley held the ball. The Hoops' goalscorer would eventually shrug and move away from the Rangers forward - before Collum eventually stuck with his original decision.
O'Riley would see his effort from the spot saved by Jack Butland - but in the end Brendan Rodgers' men held on for the crucial three points against the 10-man Light Blues to move six points clear at the top. Following his missed kick from 12 yards, Chris Sutton was quick to point out the tactics deployed during the lengthy check from Clydesdale House.
He said on Sky Sports commentary: "It's a weak penalty, but it's mind games during a long wait for Matt O'Riley. A little stutter and Butland goes the right way."
After the game, O'Riley brushed off questions about the mind games from the Rangers players before his miss during the VAR check waiting game - with Butland also appearing to speak to the Danish international before he struck the ball. He said: "I don’t know if VAR tried to overturn it but I thought it was quite strange. There are no excuses when you miss a penalty. But of course it's quite a long wait.”
