Rangers set to contact SFA over disallowed Kemar Roofe goal in Old Firm derby
Rangers are set to contact the SFA to receive an explanation for why Kemar Roofe’s goal against Celtic was disallowed, according to the Glasgow Times.
The newspaper reported via its website on Monday (4 September) that Michael Beale’s side will be contacting Head of Referee Operations, Crawford Allen in the hope of understanding why the officials opted to rule out what would have been the opener.
Cyriel Dessers was adjudged to have fouled Gustaf Lagerbielke in the build-up to the goal after a VAR check, with Brendan Rodgers’ side then going on to win 1-0 in the first Old Firm derby of the season on Sunday (3 September).
Officials at Ibrox have been left “bemused” by the decision and question why the video assistant referee felt the need to intervene as decisions should only be overturned if there is a clear and obvious error from the on-field referee. They don’t believe that Dessers’ foul was clear or obvious enough to rule out the goal.
Put it to bed
While everyone on the blue side of Glasgow is incredibly frustrated with the decision to not allow Roofe’s opener, there comes a time and place when it is better to move on, especially because Rangers have very little to gain from arguing this case.
The SFA will not overturn the result or demand a replay should they deem that Don Robertson and the VAR officials did make the wrong decision, so the Gers are better off trying to move on and regroup during the international break.
Even if Beale’s side had won on Sunday, it would have only papered over the cracks of what has been a worryingly poor start to the season, with Rangers already trailing Celtic by four points and not making the group stages of the Champions League.
Had the Light Blues put in a better performance against their Glasgow rivals, it wouldn’t have mattered whether or not Roofe’s goal should or shouldn’t have stood, as they should have produced enough quality to beat Celtic anyway, without relying on winning calls from the officials.
In other Ibrox news, both John Hartson and Ally McCoist both disagree with the referee’s call