Liam Thomas

Fri 17 February 2023 15:10, UK

James McFadden has reacted to Michael Beale’s decision to give Partick Thistle a goal in Rangers clash in the Scottish Cup, admitting the Englishman has been getting “slaughtered”.

It’s a decision that caused an uproar in opinions with some backing Beale’s admirable sportsmanship whilst others questioned his in-the-moment decision.

Speaking on the Open Goal YouTube podcast McFadden confessed that the call by Beale was the right thing to do because you don’t want to win a game like that.

“It’s a tough one because it is the right thing to do, I think it stays 2-1 you don’t wanna win a game like that,” said McFadden on the Open Goal podcast. (16 February)

“Fair play to him for doing it, you’ll get stick, you can’t win in that situation because if you don’t people are going to say fair play and sportsmanship, then he does it and he’s getting slaughtered.”

Fair play.

Beale’s decision to win a game fair and square has to be applauded and it’s a goodwill gesture that has seemed to go over the heads of a few.

The Englishman clearly did the right thing in this situation something which under the harsh lights and raucous noise of Ibrox many would have crumbled in doing.

It was brave and not only did Beale save his team from scrutiny from the whole of the Scottish Premiership, he also saved the young Malik Tillman from an inevitable backlash.

The infuriated Thistle players would have certainly targeted the American throughout the rest of the clash if the decision wasn’t overturned by Beale’s good faith.

No matter what you think, winning a game in that fashion just wouldn’t sit well and after the heat and the passion of the game concluded it simply wouldn’t feel as satisfying.

Fans likely won’t see another controversy like this for some time, if ever, but in the end, this one was dealt with relative ease from Beale and Rangers can be pleased with that.

In other Rangers news, the Ibrox bank is set for a cash boost after a document emerged on Wednesday.