Derek McInnes and Kris Boyd agree Fashion Sakala was denied Rangers penalty at Dundee United
Derek McInnes and Kris Boyd were united in their view that Fashion Sakala should have been awarded a second-half penalty for Rangers at Dundee United.
The substitute appeared to be clearly pulled back as he looked to convert the rebound after Joe Aribo’s header had been well saved by Benjamin Siegrist.
Ultimately the Zambian was unable to get a clear contact on the ball as Gers were left frustrated in their hunt for a late winner, having to settle for a 1-1 draw at Tannadyce.
Speaking on the Sky Sports broadcast after the game Kilmarnock boss McInnes said: “There’s a clear pull on him and I think it does impinge on his action to go and score a goal.
“I think he should score but it is a clear pull on the jersey and I think that is a penalty kick.”
Kris Boyd echoed the sentiment, and felt it vindicated his long-term argument for VAR in Scottish football, saying: “I would be with Derek, he’s got to finish it anyway.
“Forget the pull, yes it’s easy once it’s missed to go back and say it’s a penalty kick.
“Again, VAR, does it go back and give the penalty? 100%.”
Crucial moment
In what turned out to be such a tight game, that the shirt pull on the Light Blues winger was missed could come back to haunt them in their title defence.
It looked like the lead they had endeavoured so hard to find had arrived when the rebound fell to Sakala, and he probably should have put it away.
But the obstruction may have put him off and likely should have resulted in a penalty however easy the chance appeared.
It will only increase the calls for VAR to be brought in as the battle at the top of the SFPL has such fine margins.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst was not willing to be drawn on refereeing decisions after the game.
But the manager is likely to be doubly frustrated that his side was unable to find the net more than once in 29 attempts, and were denied two strong shouts for penalties.
The ball was also cleared into goalscorer Ross Graham’s arm in the first half but appeals were waved away.
In other Rangers news, there was an unexpected Man of the Match in the player ratings from the game.