Former Scottish referee Des Roache has backed Kelechi Iheanacho following controversy surrounding the striker’s winning goal for Celtic  against Dundee FC.

The decisive moment came during Celtic’s 2-1 victory at Dens Park, where Iheanacho scored late on to secure all three points and keep his side in the title race.

The former Manchester City forward collected a cross inside the box, held off defender Ryan Astley, and fired past goalkeeper Jon McCracken to seal the win.

Despite the goal standing, the incident sparked debate, with claims that Iheanacho may have committed a foul in the build-up.

A still image circulated widely appeared to show the striker with both hands on Astley, prompting questions over why VAR did not intervene.

Roache, however, dismissed those claims and supported the on-field decision.

Speaking to the Daily Record, he acknowledged how the image might be perceived but insisted the physical nature of the game must be considered.

“You look at that still there and it doesn't look great. But football's a physical sport,” he said.

The former official further stressed that neither the referee nor the Dundee players reacted as though a foul had occurred during the passage of play.

“I'm not jumping in to give a foul there and tellingly, not one Dundee player even looked for a foul while the game was on. That's not a foul. 100 per cent it's not a foul,” he stated.

Roache also addressed the role of VAR in the decision, explaining that such incidents are often subjective rather than clear errors.

“If it's given as a foul, VAR isn't going to overrule it. But VAR is only there to comment on clear and obvious errors. So what's happened there is an opinion, and we share the same opinion,” he said.

He added that even if the referee had initially awarded a foul, the video assistant referee could have supported that decision as well.

“If I was VAR and the referee gave a foul, I could support it and say you know what? Yeah he's shoved him, he's nudged him,” he explained.

Roache concluded by reiterating his stance that the goal was legitimate and highlighted the lack of appeals from Dundee players.

“But it's just absolutely not. And Iheanacho looking and waiting to see what's going to happen, that's a symptom of where we are with VAR; they're not sure they can celebrate a goal. I've got no issue with the decision at all.

“Not just Astley, but you look at the goalkeeper and the players surrounding him, nobody is looking for a foul.”

Wale Adejumo