James Murray

Thu 28 September 2023 13:10, UK

Stephen Craigan raged at the decision to award Rangers a goal in the first half against Livingston on Wednesday (27 September).

Speaking on co-commentary for Viaplay Sports, the pundit said Abdallah Sima pushed Jamie Brandon over before going on to open the scoring for the Gers in their 4-0 win at Ibrox.

But he said it was a “terrific finish” from the Senegalese forward as the 22-year-old guided an effort past Shamal George from a tight angle as the Light Blues secured their place in the semi-finals of the Viaplay Cup.

“I have to say, I think everyone expected the whistle to go,” said Craigan. “It looked like the right hand of Sima just gave Jamie Brandon a nudge to push him over. I think that’s a free-kick. He puts his hand on his back, he shoves him forward.

“He pushes him over, but from then on, the quality of finish from Abdallah Sima is absolutely terrific. But I think that right hand does more than enough to push the defender over.”

Fortunate

It looks as though Rangers really did get away with one after the referee decided not to give a foul on Sima in the build-up to the opener.

Livingston have every right to feel aggrieved because the scoreline was still goalless at that point and it’s quite clear that the defender was shoved over.

But there is no real consistency after Cyriel Dessers did much less in the Gers’ defeat to Celtic earlier this month and he was wrongly adjudged to have committed a foul on that occasion.

The Light Blues will feel that they deserved some luck after plenty has already gone against them in the opening stages of this season.

It was a convincing victory in the end and they – as well as Sima – will be looking to build upon this performance over the course of the next few weeks.

In other Rangers news, one star has shared an admission on social media about his injury.