BBC Sportscene pundits think Hibs disallowed goal should have stood v Rangers
Rangers ground out a 2-1 victory on Sunday but BBC Sportscene pundits Marvin Bartley and Richard Foster felt Hibernian should have had another goal.
The contentious moment came in the second half with Gers already leading 2-0, as Ryan Porteous headed home from a corner.
However, referee Don Robertson judged the centre-back to have pushed Filip Helander, who hit the ground, while Hibs midfielder Jackson Irvine was also penalised for foul play.
The Sportscene pundits felt that was the wrong decision, with Bartley saying, “We watched it six, seven times and still can’t see why he’s disallowed it. I don’t think there’s enough contact.
“He’s [the referee] obviously seen two fouls, I’ve not seen any, I think it should be a goal.”
Foster agreed with his colleague but was harsher towards Helander in his verdict.
“I think Helander does well because he throws himself to the ground which indicates he’s been pushed with some force but when you look at it back there’s nothing in it and it should have been a goal,” said Foster.
Foul play
Helander is not the type of player who tries to con match officials so for Foster to accuse the defender of throwing himself to the ground is out of order.
While there was not a huge amount of contact, there was clearly enough to upset Helander’s balance and cause him to fall.
He was moving quickly when the push came and was about to jump too, so the slightest touch would have caused him to hit the turf.
The other foul they talk about is harder to spot, but if the referee felt there was two instances of foul play it is easy to see why he disallowed the goal.
Hibs may feel aggrieved as another goal could have given them a draw, but it is unlikely Gers would have been as open as they were if Porteus’ header counted.
As a result, Kevin Nisbet may not have got his goal and it is impossible to say the match definitely would have ended 2-2.
In other Rangers, Ibrox View: ‘Outstanding’ Rangers ace makes Chris Sutton eat words with another stunner v Hibs.