Former referee Dermot Gallagher has backed the decision to award Celtic a penalty against Ross County for handball - but he conceded it was "very harsh".

The ex-Premier League whistler insisted Willie Collum had to point to the spot after a review of a handball by Alex Iacovitti at the end of the first half.

Iacovitti was competing for a header with Cameron Carter-Vickers when the ball glanced of his left arm from very close range.

However, Gallagher reckons there was only ever one outcome after the VAR check because Iacovitti's arm was outstretched and away from his body.

While Gallagher backed the decision, he did admit referees "don't particularly like" having to apply the handball laws as he empathised with fan feelings.

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Speaking on Sky Sports Ref Watch, Gallagher said: "Very harsh, I don't know what the player can do.

"Unfortunately, how the law is written now, arm outstretched like that away from the body, which it clearly is, shoulder height, which it clearly is, sent to the monitor I think there is only going to be one outcome.

"It doesn't sit well with supporters, referees don't particularly like it, but, unfortunately, you don't have to like the law you have to apply it."

Malky Mackay was left furious by the call as he warned VAR decisions could cost people their jobs.

He said: “I’ve looked at the penalty about half a dozen times and I cannot believe that’s where the bar is set with VAR right now,” he said.

“Two players go for the ball bravely with their heads. Carter-Vickers and Alex Iacovitti both throw their heads at it and the ball goes between their heads and it hits Alex on the back of his arm. It’s ball to arm.

“Someone is going to have to explain to me how you jump for a ball in the box and have your arms at your side. Physically, it can’t happen. I’m looking at where the bar is set in England and where it’s set in Scotland and right now we’re not where they are.

“Clubs are paying for this. I look at standards right now and there are mistakes all over the place. It’s costing. It’s going to cost jobs, it’s going to cost clubs promotion, relegation, Europe, whatever you want to call it. I was really disappointed with that, intervening like that.”

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