BBC Sportscene pundit praises Michael Beale after Rangers clash v Partick Thistle
BBC Sportscene pundit Michael Kennedy has praised Rangers manager Michael Beale for his “classy” decision to allow Partick Thistle to score unopposed following Malik Tillman’s controversial goal.
The Scottish Cup fifth-round tie was bursting with controversy, and Tillman heightened this feeling when he stole the ball from Kevin Holt, who was looking to return it to Rangers after the home side had kicked it out of play for an injury.
The 20-year-old subsequently beat a host of unaware Partick defenders to slide the ball beyond Jamie Sneddon, and send both the away fans and travelling team into an uproar.
Speaking live on Sportscene (Sunday 12 February 21:45), Darvel manager Kennedy praised what followed next, as Beale ushered over captain James Tavernier and instructed his team to allow Partick to score an equalising goal unopposed due to the misunderstanding.
“I think it was the right thing to do,” Kennedy said. “To be fair to the lad Tillman, he didn’t know what had occurred after someone stood on him, and he shows great feet and composure to go through and finish.
“But it was the right decision after that, a classy decision by Michael Beale.”
Right decision
The move from Beale to allow Partick to walk the ball past Allan McGregor would have reminded many of the similar piece of play between Aston Villa and Leeds United in the Championship a few years ago.
The decision was a classy gesture from the Gers boss, and was the correct move in the end. Although Tillman was unaware of the controversy he had caused by running through the vacant Partick defence, it was still quite a brilliant finish from the young United States midfielder.
Showing quick feet and some intricate skill, Tillman finished off the solo move with brilliant composure, albeit in such controversial circumstances.
If Rangers had continued the game normally and held the lead, it may well have led to some serious questions being asked of their sportsmanship – and no harm was done in the end as the Gers went on to nick a late winner against the Championship side.
In other Rangers news, there are “serious doubts” over the fitness of one striker for the Viaplay Cup final against Celtic.