CELTIC skipper Callum McGregor was fortunate to avoid a VAR review at the weekend, according to former top referees.

The whistlers reckon the video referee could've intervened in a previously unseen incident involving Hearts ace Kenneth Vargas.

Celtic beat the Jambos comfortably at Parkhead, with a double from Kyogo and a Matt O'Riley penalty firing them to a 3-0 victory.

Following Rangers' 4-1 win over Kilmarnock on Sunday, it means the Hoops will take a three point lead into Saturday's crunch title-defining Old Firm clash at Celtic Park.

It was a straightforward afternoon for the Celts who will be all but assured of the title if they beat the Gers this coming weekend.

But it might not have been such a straightforward afternoon had VAR intervened in an incident that two former referees have drawn attention to.

A clip has emerged on social media that shows an incident involving Jambos forward Kenneth Vargas and Celtic captain Callum McGregor.

Vargas can be seen nicking the ball away from McGregor, who puts in a challenge.

The ball finds its way to Hearts' Dexter Lembikisa and play continues with Vargas on the ground.

McGregor can then be seen jumping over the grounded Hearts man.

It isn't entirely clear how much contact there is, but given Vargas' reaction, it appears as though McGregor catches his leg with his studs on the way down.

The incident went unnoticed at the time and neither referee Kevin Clancy or VAR Nick Walsh decided it merited any punishment.

But ex-category one refs Steve Conroy and Des Roache reckon McGregor may have had a case to answer.

And they believe there was enough in it for VAR to have a closer look.

Sharing the clip on X, Conroy and Roache stopped short of saying McGregor SHOULD have been sent off - but they do reckon it could have met the threshold, and that VAR should have taken a look to ascertain whether or not that was the case.

Posting from their Behind the Whistles podcast account, the refs said: "We spoke on the podcast yesterday about the one on Forrest not shown on highlights packages.

"We also questioned the lack of VAR review. This is another. He (McGregor) has tried to leap the man on the floor and has caught him.

"Debatable if reckless Y (yellow) or serious foul play. Was worth a check, it's not nothing.

"Really surprised as Kevin Clancy and his assistant referee have a clear view of it."

In response to a fan questioning if it was a 'deliberate stamp,' the whistlers added: "Your interpretation of it is it’s a stamp, he’s in the process of jumping over his opponent.

"Whether he’s deliberately landed on his opponent is a point of debate and open to interpretation. It should have been checked and then it be the Referees interpretation."

While the former top refs reckon McGregor's challenge was bordering between yellow and red, they believe a CLEAR red card was also missed by the officials during the same game.

Once again, it was an incident that took place during the first half.

In the 33rd minute, Jambos right back Lembikisa caught James Forrest with a high boot to the face in an attempt to get to the ball.

Clancy and Roache said: “VAR and Kevin Clancy missed a clear red card for serious foul play.

"Also disappointing that Sky and Sportscene never included it in their highlights packages”

Lembikisa's challenge went unpunished and there was no intervention either from Walsh in the VAR room.

As the whistlers mentioned, it also never made the TV highlights packages across the weekend.