‘No doubt about it’ – Michael Stewart reacts to ‘bizarre’ Rangers penalty decision v Hamilton
Michael Stewart has claimed that it was “bizarre” for Rangers to be denied a penalty in their 2-0 win over Hamilton on Saturday evening.
First half goals from Ianis Hagi and James Tavernier were enough to ensure a comfortable victory that extended their unbeaten start to the Scottish Premiership season.
Their lead over the Accies could have been extended further, however, were it not for a questionable piece of refereeing from Willie Collum.
Just after the hour mark, Gers striker Kemar Roofe appeared to receive a blatant shove in the back as he went to challenge for a delivery into the box.
The forward ended up sprawled out on the turf, while Collum seemingly made a shoving gesture before failing to point to the spot.
And Stewart was left baffled by the decision.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland (Saturday August 29th, 17.30), when asked whether it should have been a penalty, he said: “Absolutely, there’s no doubt about it.
“The strange thing is that, as you saw, the referee was pointing towards something.
“He looks as if he motioned there was a shove, but he didn’t point to the penalty spot.
“It’s just bizarre. It was a penalty all day long.”
Was it a penalty?
Yes. Simple as that.
Roofe is looking to move onto the end of a fine delivery when he is quite clearly shoved in the back.
It’s a forceful push, enough to send him to the ground, and the referee must see it because he acknowledges that an incident is occurred.
The only logical reason that he hasn’t given it is because he believes Roofe has shoved the defender first, but watching it back it’s hard to see how he could have reached that conclusion.
And if there is any more doubt over whether or not it was a spot kick, the fact that Michael Stewart of all people – a Gers sceptic to put it diplomatically – is so adamant that it was a foul should tell you everything you need to know.
Obviously, it didn’t matter too much in the end, and nobody likes bashing officials for the sake of it, but Collum got this one wrong yesterday.
In other Rangers news, Bruce claims Rangers will want to ‘build team around’ this player.