Scots journalist not happy with clear Celtic penalty missed v Rangers in Old Firm
Rangers defender Connor Goldson’s handball should have resulted in a penalty during the Old Firm due to the “unnatural” positioning of his hand, according to journalist Stephen McGowan.
After conceding in the opening five minutes, goals from Ryan Kent and James Tavernier helped Michael Beale’s side take the lead in the fiercely competitive derby, but a late Kyogo Furuhashi equaliser meant the spoils were shared at Ibrox on Monday (2 January).
The game had talking points aplenty, but none more so than with Goldson, who appeared to handle the ball when Carl Starfelt let fly towards Allan McGregor’s goal in the second half.
Writing for the Scottish Daily Mail (January 3, page. 66), Stephen McGowan outlined his rage at the dubious decision-making surrounding the handball rule.
He wrote: “Celtic and their fans are no lovers of VAR and that feeling hasn’t changed after Connor Goldson survived two handball reviews in five second-half minutes.
“The first, in particular, saw the Ibrox defender raise his hands above his head in an unnatural position to block a Starfelt shot on goal. The kind of decision routinely reviewed and given before the World Cup, the handball rules are now as clear as mud. Even so, it’s hard to think of a clearer penalty than this one.”
Obvious
Rangers may have gotten away with one here, with Goldson’s handball one of the most obvious choices over the course of this season.
Yes, the centre-back was just looking to protect himself as his hands automatically flung towards his face, but the rules are so tight around handball in the penalty area that it is surprising this wasn’t given.
However, refereeing decisions will always even themselves out over a season, and the Gers will move on from the Old Firm with a sense of belief that they can still hack it with the best in the league.
For large portions of the season, Celtic have been the benchmark, and to dominate the game for large periods of the second half will please Beale greatly. The gut-wrenching late goal will have left the team bitterly disappointed, but they move on to the match with Dundee United with spirits high.
A point gained or an opportunity missed? Beale will probably see it as the latter.
In other Rangers news, in a team of the season so far, Andy Walker chose to snub the Gers entirely while Kris Boyd didn’t flood his side with Bears either.