Tam McManus shocked with Abdallah Sima in build-up to Rangers opener v Livingston
Abdallah Sima “clearly” fouled Livingston defender Jamie Brandon in the build-up to his goal as Rangers sealed a 4-0 win in the ViaPlay Cup, according to Tam McManus.
Taking to X (27 September), the pundit expressed his shock that the opening goal stood, with Sima winning a one-v-one against Brandon to leave the 25-year-old on the ground before the Gers forward curled his effort in to put his side ahead at Ibrox.
Michael Beale’s side entered the changing rooms at half-time with a narrow advantage but went on to dominate with a flurry of late goals.
McManus said: “Surely a clear foul by Sima on Brandon for the Rangers goal.
“Incredible decision to be honest.”
Harsh?
Rangers fans would not have cared whether it was a foul or not as Sima’s lovely curled effort flew passed a helpless Shamal George in the Livingston net.
The referee, Willie Collum, was in plain view of the incident as it happened in the tenth minute. He did not deem Sima’s challenge to be a foul, leaving the Rangers man to give his side a much-needed goal.
Sima’s right hand may have been slightly too heavy on Brandon, but the foul would have been a soft one if given.
The Livingston backline all immediately turned to the referee after the goal went in, while Sima himself was basking in the Ibrox faithful’s celebrations after his fourth goal of the season.
Beale would have naturally been the happier of the two managers as the first-half whistle blew, but pressure still remains on the Englishman as the Ibrox faithful could be quick to fully turn on the boss.
Unlike the Motherwell game though, the Bears went on to put the icing on the cake rather than cruising, something that will no doubt please everyone at Ibrox.
In other Rangers news, Ally McCoist has given a new “not good” verdict after what he saw at the club.