Mark Benstead slams Ryan Kent incident like on Sky Sports News in Rangers in 3-0 win v Hearts
Sky Sports pundit Mark Benstead slammed Rangers forward Ryan Kent live on air following his blatant dive in the Gers’ 3-0 win over Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.
Two goals from Alfredo Morelos and a Malik Tilman strike ensured the Gers kept apace of Old Firm rivals Celtic who remain nine points clear at the top of the table following their win over Livingston.
Despite the win, the game was marred with VAR controversy. The Gers had three goals correctly ruled out for offside, but it was Kent’s actions which will have dampened a good performance in which he provided an assist.
The 26-year-old tumbled under a soft challenge from Hearts player Alex Cochrane with which the referee John Beaton pointed to the penalty spot. But after a VAR review, the penalty decision was overturned and the Gers forward was brandished with a yellow card for a dive.
Speaking live on Sky Sports [1 February, 8:54pm], Benstead said:
“They’ve been awarded a penalty, it’s being checked by VAR. Ryan Kent went down in the box. Alex Cochran, the Hearts defender, dangled out a leg and Kent went over it. I think Kent’s made the most of it. I think he’s seen the leg go out and then thrown himself down. We’ll wait and see what VAR says but John Beaton has, for now, awarded a penalty.”
He added [9:01pm]:
“When you last came to me, Rangers had been awarded a penalty after Ryan Kent went down in the box from a challenge from Alex Cochran. John Beaton, the referee, pointed to the spot but then VAR intervened. He was called to the monitor, the referee reviewed the footage and saw that Ryan Kent had thrown himself to the ground with a bit of gusto. Instead, he was shown a yellow card for simulation and no penalty, ultimately.”
Kent theatrics
The 26-year-old forward has been guilty of similar instances throughout his Rangers career, and he must stop diving theatrically or cheating if he is to fulfil his undoubted potential.
In future now, if he does get fouled in the box, referees won’t bat an eyelid because of his needless reputation. The former Liverpool star is clearly a talented footballer, capable of winning games on his own.
But the constant cheating and diving won’t do his career progression any favours, especially if he carries on with it. Gers coach Michael Beale has got to have serious words with one of his star men after his usual unnecessary theatrics.
In other Rangers news, one Bears star has taken to social media to mock criticism from a Sky Sports pundit