BBC pundit reacts to Kevin Clancy controversy as Rangers footage shows new angle of incident v Celtic
Former Celtic attacker Simon Donnelly has commented on the controversial decision from Kevin Clancy to rule out an opening goal for Rangers’ Alfredo Morelos in Saturday’s Old Firm victory for the hosts at Parkhead.
The controversial call from the whistler was followed just minutes later by Kyogo Furuhashi’s strike to make it 1-0 to Celtic but on the tussle between Morelos and Alistair Johnston, Donnelly gave a “soft” verdict.
It speaks volumes that in addition to this opinion from a Celtic perspective, Andy Walker also cast doubt on the big call from Clancy in what was a moment that robbed Rangers of the lead in the crucial game.
Speaking on BBC Scotland’s Sportscene show on Saturday night (8 April, 20m10s), Donnelly said: “I think it’s soft.
“From this angle, it looks more of a push from Morelos. Both have got hold of each other. I think that’s what swayed the decision.
“From behind the goal, it doesn’t look so much of a push. From this angle, they’re both holding onto each other, they’re grappling and I think Alistair Johnston mistimes the cross coming in there.
“But I can see from the other angle where the referee is, there’s a little push here.”
Clancy buys Johnston antics
Considering that Morelos was being held by Johnston as well as the clearly visible pull on his shirt, how can he free himself without using his hands?
The pair were grappling with contact both ways but as soon as the Celtic defender realised he was on the wrong side of the ball, as mentioned by Donnelly, he threw himself to the ground to exaggerate the impact from the Colombian. Clancy bought it, much to Rangers’ detriment.
VAR could have examined the first contact in the duel as well as making sure the decision was correct but Clancy instead opted to immediately rule on the minimal push from Morelos, which would not have been required if Johnston’s hands weren’t wrapped around him.
The fallout will continue but ultimately it will be a lost cause for Rangers in the context of the game and a massive call which contributed to the defeat in a crucial game.
In other Rangers news, Rangers official partner fumes after what happened in loss v Celtic.