Alex Rae and Alan Hutton could not believe Ryan Kent was denied a 2nd Rangers penalty vs Hibs
Ryan Kent should have been awarded a second Rangers penalty in the win over Hibernian last night for “a clear push”, according to Alex Rae and Alan Hutton.
Not long after the winger had won a spot-kick which James Tavernier scored, he again went down in the area after contact from Hibs defender Chris Cadden, but referee Nick Walsh ignored the claims.
Former Gers players Rae and Hutton could not believe the decision and felt the referee didn’t want to give two penalties in quick succession.
Speaking on the RangersTV broadcast as a half-time pundit, ex-midfielder Rae was adamant, saying: “It’s a penalty. It’s a penalty because if it was side on side, or shoulder to shoulder… you see here, he leans into his back. It’s a clear push, and it’s a penalty.”
Former full-back Hutton said: “I would agree… You’re just thinking, maybe if the ref didn’t give the first one would he have given that one? Was it playing on his mind because he’d already given one?”
Rae added: “Surely the referee can see that there’s a push from the back because Ryan Kent’s got goal-side, he’s bearing down on goal.”
And Hutton asked finally: “Why doesn’t he get the shot off? Why go down? He’s in a good area. The shove’s obviously put him off.”
Referees again
The English winger spent the duration of last night’s game at Ibrox terrorising the away defence.
Paul McGinn was tricked into bringing him down for the first chance inside five minutes, and it was amazing that the second foul was not given.
From then on defenders were scared to go near Kent as he twisted and turned around them in a stand-out display.
Referees seem to be continually in the spotlight in the SPFL at the moment, and at times it is unnecessary.
Ultimately it did not make a difference to the result in this game because Gers were ran out relatively comfortable 2-0 winners, with another goal for Alfredo Morelos.
But it is disappointing if Walsh was letting his earlier decision, which looked to be clearly correct, cloud his judgment on subsequent ones.
Kent was deemed to be unlucky to be sent off in the draw with Aberdeen last month and was let down by the official again last night.
He will just be pleased that the damage this time was much less and can be proud of his performance.
In other Rangers news, there were a number of strong scores in the player ratings from the game, although not for everyone.